JD(U) open to alliance with BJP in K'taka

With Assembly poll dates being announced in Karnataka, and parties are looking for partners to improve their chances, making it more difficult for the voters

In a sign of the Janata Dal (U) not averse to cosying up to the BJP, the party has indicated that it will look to form an alliance with the BJP in Karnataka.

"Party has authorised me to hold discussions with BJP president Rajnath Singh over the possibility of an alliance in Karnataka elections," JD(U) spokesperson and general secretary K C Tyagi said, adding that a meeting would be scheduled after the Holi celebrations. But, he refused to speculate on the outcome of his meeting with the BJP president.

"Earlier, we have been in coalition there, but last time, no agreement could take place due to confusion. So we will restart the process of negotiation. BJP is also not that strong there as it was during the last election," he said. On what will be JD(U)'s course of action if the two parties are unable to come to any agreement, he said, "We will contest alone if we fail to arrive at an agreement."

On April 14, JD(U) will also hold elections for the post of its president as the term of incumbent Sharad Yadav is coming to an end. "Party's national executive meeting will take place on April 13. On April 14, the election of national executive will take place along with the election for the post of party's national president," Tyagi said.

Asked whether Yadav will be contesting the elections, he said, "No such thing is under discussion right now. These are open ended questions and it is better to ask him about this. So far, the president has been elected on the basis of consensus only."

He also ruled out any possibility of the Third Front being formed before the Parliamentary elections next year. "We are part of NDA and we have a coalition. We are already running a government in Bihar. Sharad Yadav is NDA convenor. So in that case there is no question of a Third Front," he said.