The Janata Dal (Secular) has joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. The decision was announced by BJP national President J P Nadda after meeting with JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Friday.
"I am happy that JD(S) has decided to be the part of National Democratic Alliance. We wholeheartedly welcome them in the NDA. This will further strengthen NDA and vision of Hon PM Narendra Modi Ji for “New India, Strong India”," Nadda said in a post on 'X'.
Talks of alliance between the two parties have been in the limelight in the past few weeks, especially after veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa, who is also a parliamentary board member of the party, had earlier this month said his party will have an "understanding" with JD(S) for the Lok Sabha elections.
Following the Assembly Elections in Karnataka, where BJP and JD(S) won 66 and 19 seats respectively, there were reports that the two would join hands for the upcoming general elections. JD(S) had earlier contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the Congress, as both parties were heading a coalition government in Karnataka at that point. JD(S) has also earlier formed an alliance with BJP in 2006 for 20 months.
