Karnataka CM unusually non-adversarial towards JDS; asks BJP netas to avoid 'merger' talk

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday asked his BJP party members t to comment on rumours about a possible merger of JD(S) with saffron party. BJP leer said that JD(S) may give ruling party in Karnataka cooperation if needed but talking about a merger at a time "y are building ir party is t right." 

'y will build ir party, we will build ours' 

"JD(S) is a party built by former Prime Minister Deve Gowda and former Chief Minister Kumaraswamy is its leer. At time when y are trying to strengn party and build it across state, talking about that party's merger with ar party is like insulting m," Yediyurappa said on Monday.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Chief Minister said, neir he r ors should speak on such issues while maintaining that JD(S) has given cooperation on issue of removing legislative council chairman. "...in coming days to y may give us cooperation if needed, but at time y are building ir party, talks about its merger are t right. re are still two and a half years for election. y will build ir party, we will build ours. So one, including those from our party, should speak about such things," he ded.

'My real politics will begin in 2023': HD Kumaraswamy

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and JD(S) leer HD Kumaraswamy also dismissed such reports and expressed confidence about coming to power independently. "My real politics will begin in 2023," Kumaraswamy said and asserted that one can finish JD(S). re have been rumours and reports in certain sections of media for a couple of months w about merger, with Kumaraswamy twice meeting Yediyurappa personally at his official residence and JD(S)' alleged softening of stand towards ruling party.

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Ruling out any merger proposals before him, Kumaraswamy, hitting out at Congress and its leer Siddaramaiah, on Monday asserted that his aim is to bring JD(S) to power independently in 2023, and blamed those who are on ir way out from party for spreing such rumours.

"I have alrey spoken about JD(S)' stand. re is question of merging JD(S) with any or party until we are alive. We are t here for power. For last ten years we have worked in opposition," Kumaraswamy said. Deve Gowda built JD(S) to fight for cause of people and in his six deces-long political life he was in power for just four or five years, former Chief Minister said while ting that joining hands with Congress has affected party's prospects and expressed hopes about coming to power on own.

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(With ncy inputs)