CM B S Yediyurappa asks BJP members to remain mum on JDS possible merger

Bengaluru: Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday asked his BJP party members not to comment on rumours about possible merger of JD(S) with the saffron party, even as JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy dismissed such reports and expressed confidence about coming to power independently.

"My real politics will begin in 2023," Kumaraswamy said and asserted that no one can finish the JD(S). Amid rumours of a possible merger of the JD(S) with BJP, both leaders had on Sunday too issued statements dismissing them as far from the truth. "JD(S) is a party built by former Prime Minister Deve Gowda and former Chief Minister Kumaraswamy is its leader.

At the time when they are trying to strengthen the party and build it across the state, talking about that pary's merger with another party is like insulting them," Yediyurappa said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters here, the Chief Minister said, neither he nor others should speak on such issues, while maintaining that JD(S) has given cooperation on the issue of removing the legislative council chairman. "...in the coming days too they may give us cooperation if needed, but at the time they are building their party, talks about its merger are not right. There is still two and a half years for election. They will build their party, we will build ours. So no one, including those from our party, should speak about such things," he added.

There have been rumours and reports in certain sections of the media for a couple of months now about the merger, with Kumaraswamy twice meeting Yediyurappa personally at his official residence and JD(S)' alleged softening of stand towards the ruling party.

Also JD(S) extending support for the passage of the land reforms bill in the council after initially opposing it and the regional party's support to BJP in its no-confidence motion against Council Chairman did add to the speculation.

Meanwhile, Congress legislature party leader and former Chief Minister Siddarmaaiah alleged that BJP and JD(S) always had an internal understanding and the regional party was the "B team" of the BJP.