‘JD(S) had agreed to support BJP in BBMP’

BJP leader and former Minister R. Ashok said on Wednesday that the Janata Dal (Secular) had been ready to join hands with his party (BJP) in taking charge of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike.

“In fact, I spoke to JD(S) State president H.D. Kumaraswamy and he had agreed to join hands with BJP. However, I am revealing this for the first time,” he said at a press conference here.

Mr. Ashok said that subsequently, the JD(S) changed its stance and joined hands with the Congress to assume charge in BBMP.

Mr. Ashok was responding to a question on BJP’s failure to assume power in BBMP despite emerging as single largest party.

Further, he stated that Mr. Kumaraswamy had ruled out any association with the Congress in the coming Legislative Council elections. “You must have come to know that Mr. Kumaraswamy had told his party leaders that he would resign if JD(S) decides to go with the Congress in the Council elections,” he said.