Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Karnataka President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Friday, 10 July met H.D. Kumaraswamy — Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, former Karnataka Chief Minister, and Janata Dal (Secular) State President — in Bengaluru to hold wide-ranging discussions on the BJP-JD(S) alliance, upcoming bye-elections, and the proposed formation of a joint coordination committee.

What Was Discussed

The two leaders deliberated on the political situation in Karnataka, including strategies to mount a unified opposition against the ruling Congress government. Vijayendra described the Congress administration as an “anti-farmer, anti-people and corrupt” government, and said both parties agreed on the need to intensify their joint agitation.

“We had extensive deliberations on the future course of our struggle against the anti-farmer, anti-people and corrupt Congress government. We also discussed strengthening the BJP-JD(S) alliance and moving forward together to effectively face the challenges in the upcoming elections,” Vijayendra told reporters.

JD(S) MLC S.L. Bhojegowda was also present at the meeting.

Coordination Committee to Be Constituted

Vijayendra announced that a formal BJP-JD(S) coordination committee would be set up immediately to improve inter-party alignment ahead of the polls. He named Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, and himself as BJP’s nominees to the panel.

“Kumaraswamy has agreed to the proposal and said both parties should work unitedly, strengthen the alliance and defeat this government,” Vijayendra said. He added that Kumaraswamy had suggested three members from each party, and discussions were held on keeping the committee compact. Vijayendra said he had also discussed the matter with BJP Karnataka in-charge Radha Mohan Das Agarwal and backed the three-member-per-party formula.

Bye-Election Preparations

The meeting also covered preparations for the upcoming bye-elections in the Hiriyur and Dharwad Assembly constituencies, as well as elections to four Teachers’ and Graduates’ Constituencies. Vijayendra said the BJP had already announced its candidates for the Teachers’ and Graduates’ constituencies and had sought JD(S)’s cooperation.

On seat-sharing, he noted that the JD(S) has expressed interest in contesting the Hiriyur seat, while the BJP has historically won that constituency. “Whether it is Hiriyur or Dharwad, our objective is to ensure the alliance wins. There is no scope for confusion,” he said. The final call on seat-sharing and candidate selection will rest with the national leadership of both parties.

Cross-Voting Row Not the Trigger, Says Vijayendra

Responding to questions on whether the coordination committee was prompted by a recent cross-voting episode within the alliance, Vijayendra was categorical in his denial. “The decision is not connected to the cross-voting issue. It has been taken not only in the interest of the BJP and the JD(S), but also in the interest of the state. It is in line with the wishes of the BJP national leadership, and the discussions were very positive,” he said.

The announcement signals a concerted effort by the two NDA partners to present a consolidated front against the Congress in Karnataka, with institutional coordination now being formalised ahead of what could be a significant electoral test.