Cong-JDS seat-sharing talks for LS polls soon: JDS leader

The formula adopted by the ruling Congress-JDS coalition in Karnataka during its cabinet formation and appointments to boards and corporations would be the basis of the discussion on seat-sharing for the coming Lok Sabha elections, the JD(S) said Tuesday.

The party also expressed confidence about the coalition government under H D Kumaraswamy completing its five-year term.

JD(S) secretary-general Danish Ali said preliminary discussions were already held on seat-sharing during the recent coordination committee meeting.

"We are going to have more rounds of discussions and try to come out with a conclusion," he told reporters during the partys national executive here.

"How many seats, which party will contest from where- is yet to be discussed.

But, as you all know when this coalition was formed, I was one of the signatories to that... In the cabinet, in the board corporation nominations there will be one-third (for JD(S)), two-third (for Congress) formula, according to our strength in the assembly.

So the same formula will be the basis of the discussion for seat-sharing for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections," he said.

Recently in an interview to PTI, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy had also expressed similar views.

"There are 28 seats...they (Congress) should take two-thirds and give us one-third, this is what his feeling is, and mostly, I feel they will also agree," he had said.

Ali, however, said the JDS motive was very clear and "that is to stitch an alliance to defeat the BJP."
JD(S) has already expressed its desire to contest in 10-12 seats, on which the Congress party has some reservations, as it has maintained that seat sharing will be based on "merit."
He said "I think notices have have also been issued by Congress, but one thing is clear there is good understanding between the leadership of both the parties and this government is going to last its full five year term."
Underlining the significance of the national executive when the Lok Sabha elections are approaching fast, Ali said,"In Karnataka, we are with Congress, in Kerala we are with the Left front."