Overview
- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said it appears the JD(S) may soon merge with the BJP, framing the prospect as his assessment of H.D. Kumaraswamy’s current stance.
- He argued that a merger would help Congress by turning three-cornered contests into a direct fight with the BJP.
- Shivakumar inducted former JD(S) corporator Govindaraj from Chamarajpet, his wife Gowramma, Chandrashekhar, former JD(S) leader David, and hundreds of supporters into the Congress at the KPCC office.
- He criticized JD(S) leadership as treating the party like personal property and said it lacks ideology, while also asserting he is more experienced than Kumaraswamy in politics and administration.
- With the government set to hold local-body polls this year, he urged early applications for the Bengaluru civic elections, citing 779 Congress ticket aspirants across five zones and a January 10 target for submissions.