BENGALURU: A section of the BJP leadership is in favour of the appointment of former chief minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy as leader of the joint legislature parties of BJP and JD(S) to lead the opposition in the Karnataka assembly.

But, a significant section has strongly opposed it, leading to the delay in the appointment of BJP's legislature party leader, who would automatically be opposition leader.

Commenting on the political developments, former PM Deve Gowda said , "Let BJP high command address the above issues before offering anything to us." However, BJP state general secretary N Ravikumar said: "We have got to know that our party leadership has already invited JD(S), and I hope it will make up its mind and participate in the NDA meet on Tuesday.’"Senior functionaries of BJP and JD(S) said they are willing to forge a pre-poll alliance for the Lok Sabha elections.

However, the ongoing negotiations between the parties, including discussions on local leadership, have led to a delay in making a formal announcement.Strengthening the NDA by including new parties like JD(S) is critical for BJP, which is eyeing a third successive term after its exceptional performance in 2019, when it won with a huge majority of 303 seats.

Karnataka is seen to be among the most important states as it has won 25 out of 28 seats, and it would be a tough challenge to repeat the feat, especially since more than 15 MPs are reportedly opting out of the contest, forcing the party to scout for new faces for those constituencies.JD(S) is also in need of a formidable alliance as it is struggling to recover from the debilitating defeat in the assembly.

It has displayed a willingness to join forces with BJP, sespite the fact that their previous alliance with Congress was unsuccessful in the 2019 LS polls.

It also risks losing its secular credentials if it aligns with the saffron party.

One of themain bargains between BJP and JD(S) is seat sharing for LS polls.

BJP is willing to spare three seats—Hassan, Mandya and Bengaluru—where it has limited presence, while JD(S) is seeking Tumakuru, Kolar, Chikkaballapur and Chamarajnanagar.A section of BJP has suggested a merger of JD(S) and the saffron party, which the regional party has rejected outright.

“We will never agree to the merger option.

We can consider an alliance option if the BJP comes with aworkable model,” said former chief minister and JD(S) floor leader HD Kumaraswamy.

Another significant issue that is delaying the alliance is the candidature of the leader of the opposition in the state legislative assembly.