Overview
- On January 8, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said JD(S) may soon merge with the BJP, calling it a move that would set up a direct Congress–BJP contest.
- He made the remark while inducting former JD(S) corporator Govindaraj, his wife Gowramma and other supporters into the Congress in Bengaluru.
- Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on January 9 rejected the merger talk on social media and accused Shivakumar of corruption and protocol overreach in a police meeting held in Ballari.
- Shivakumar responded that he is more experienced in administration than Kumaraswamy and insisted he knows how to conduct official meetings.
- Preparing for reorganised Bengaluru civic polls, Shivakumar said Congress has received 779 ticket applications, while JD(S) youth chief Nikhil Kumaraswamy said no final decision has been made on contesting local bodies alone.