Overview
- H. D. Deve Gowda declared that JD(S) will contest taluk and zilla panchayats and urban local bodies independently while keeping its tie-up with the BJP for larger elections.
- Karnataka BJP chief B. Y. Vijayendra avoided a direct rebuttal and said the state unit will follow decisions of the national leadership led by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
- JD(S) leaders and cadre have expressed concern about extending the alliance to local contests, citing the need to protect areas of organisational strength.
- Some JD(S) figures later suggested to The Indian Express that the partnership could still cover local bodies, a reported stance that underscores continuing uncertainty.
- JD(S) scheduled conventions on January 18 in Bengaluru and January 23 in Hassan, as campaign messaging features critiques of the Congress government and allegations over stalled industrial revivals.