BJP, JD(S) renew alliance to fight upcoming polls together, says Yediyurappa

Former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa addressing presspersons in Kalaburagi on Monday. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) will contest all future elections in Karnataka together under the NDA banner, former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said on Monday, signalling a renewed electoral understanding between the two parties ahead of the 2028 Assembly election.

Addressing presspersons in Kalaburagi, Mr. Yediyurappa said the leaders of both parties had agreed to sustain the alliance and contest the upcoming elections jointly.

The alliance will face its first electoral test in the October 23 elections to four Legislative Council constituencies. The BJP is contesting the South-East Graduates’, West Graduates’ and North-East Teachers’ constituencies, while the Bengaluru Teachers’ constituency has been allotted to the JD(S). The outcome will also give a clearer picture of the level of coordination between the two parties as they prepare for the larger electoral contest in 2028.

The BJP has renominated Shashil G. Namoshi, sitting MLC, from the North-East Teachers’ constituency. Mr. Yediyurappa expressed confidence in Mr. Namoshi’s prospects, saying he had toured the constituency extensively and had sought the support of teachers.