Bengaluru, July 10 (IANS) BJP Karnataka President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra, on Friday met Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, former Karnataka Chief Minister and JD(S) State President, H.D. Kumaraswamy in Bengaluru and held detailed discussions on the prevailing political developments in the state, including the BJP-JD(S) alliance, upcoming bye-elections and the proposed formation of a coordination committee.

According to Vijayendra, the leaders deliberated on the future course of agitation against what they described as the “anti-farmer, anti-people and corrupt” government in Karnataka.

“We had extensive deliberations on the future course of our struggle against the anti-farmer, anti-people and corrupt Congress government. We also discussed strengthening the BJP-JD(S) alliance and moving forward together to effectively face the challenges in the upcoming elections,” Vijayendra told reporters.

The two leaders also discussed preparations for the upcoming bye-elections in the Hiriyur and Dharwad Assembly constituencies, as well as the elections to four Teachers’ and Graduates’ Constituencies.

“We have already announced our candidates for the Teachers’ and Graduates’ Constituencies and I sought the cooperation of the JD(S),” Vijayendra said.

He stressed the need for greater coordination between the BJP and the JD(S) to defeat the ruling government and announced that the alliance would soon constitute a coordination committee.

“The BJP and the JD(S) need greater coordination to remove the Congress government from power. In this backdrop, a BJP-JD(S) coordination committee should be constituted immediately. From the BJP, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and I will be members. Kumaraswamy has agreed to the proposal and said both parties should work unitedly, strengthen the alliance and defeat this government,” Vijayendra said.

He added that while Kumaraswamy had suggested three members from each party, discussions were held on keeping the committee compact.

“I have also discussed the matter with BJP Karnataka in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal and suggested that three members from each party would be appropriate,” he said.

Responding to questions on whether the decision to constitute the coordination committee was prompted by the recent cross-voting episode, Vijayendra said the move was unrelated.

“The decision is not connected to the cross-voting issue. It has been taken not only in the interest of the BJP and the JD(S), but also in the interest of the state. It is in line with the wishes of the BJP national leadership, and the discussions were very positive,” he said.

On seat-sharing for the upcoming bye-elections, Vijayendra said the JD(S) had expressed its desire to contest the Hiriyur Assembly seat.

“The JD(S) has conveyed its opinion regarding Hiriyur, and I have conveyed the BJP’s position. The BJP has won the Hiriyur seat in the past. Whether it is Hiriyur or Dharwad, our objective is to ensure the alliance wins. There is no scope for confusion. We have discussed the bye-elections with an open mind,” he said.

Vijayendra added that the final decision on seat-sharing and the selection of candidates for the bypolls would be taken by the national leadership of the alliance.

JD(S) MLC S.L. Bhojegowda was also present during the meeting.

–IANS

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