by None will leaveYet Gowda said None of our leaders will desert us A wrong perception is being created that JDS will be at a loss due to the alliance with BJP But that is not true We took this decision to join hands after carefully weighing the pros, consHe also sought to clarify that the decision to tie up with BJP was not unilateral but unanimous This alliance has my approval We took the decision after consulting all MLAs, MLCs of the party he saidReacting to Congress criticism of the alliance Gowda said keeping the prevailing political situation in the state, country, to save JDS he joined hands with BJP This is not opportunism We have not allied with BJP secretly We are fighting to save our party All 19 of our MLAs, 8 MLCs said the party should enter an understanding with BJPIn Koppal JDS state core committee president, MLA GT Devegowda said an alliance with BJP was inevitable He said Only after all functionaries agreed to an alliance talks were held with BJP Our party has many opportunities now MLAs can become MPs, some can also become members of the legislative councilHe said thousands of minorities participated in the partys organisation, revival programme in Kalaburagi, Koppal, claimed the alliance will extend to future elections as well
Published in The Times of India (Online) (28.09.2023)