Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Janata Dal Secular (JDS) is leaning towards BJP and is working towards an alliance with the party.
JDS comes after its worst-ever performance in the recently concluded Karnataka election.
The JDS, which won only one of Karnataka's 28 Lok Sabha seats in the 2019 election, sent feelers to the BJP weeks after the assembly election verdict, reports said.
JDS is led by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda and his son HD Kumaraswamy, reports said fancies over its chance to defeat the Congress and salvage its vote-base if it ties up with the BJP, its one-time ally.
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Earlier, BJP and JDS formed a coalition government in Karnataka in 2006.
There have been several indications that the JDS is once again gravitating towards its former partner. It includes Deve Gowda's strong defence of Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw as he faced resignation demands from other opposition parties following the Odisha train accident in which 288 were killed.
"The Railway Minister has taken all necessary steps to restore the damage that happened. He is working tirelessly. Let the inquiry be completed. The minister is doing his best and demanding his resignation at this stage is not wise," said Gowda.
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Deve Gowda was also the notable exception as other opposition leaders boycotted the opening of the new parliament building.
Another giveaway was Gowda's comment on Tuesday doubting the prospect of an opposition alliance against the BJP.
"I can analyse in detail about this country's politics, what is the use? Show me one party which has not associated with the BJP, either directly or indirectly. Show me one party in the whole country, then I will answer," Gowda said.
