Bangalore: The JD(S) seems to be trying hard to retain the opposition leader’s post. After the BJP and KJP made a formal request to Speaker Kagodu ThimmÂappa to acknowledge the merger of the two parties, and staked claim for the opposition leader's post, the JD(S) is reportedly working towards retaining the position by wooing the BSR Congress.
To sew up an alliance or a merger, JD(S) state president and opposition leader H.D. KumarasÂwamy held talks with BSR Congress founder leader B. Sreeramulu here on Saturday.
If it gets the support of four MLAs from the BSR Congress, the JD(S) can stake claim to the post. But with that, both the BJP and KJP will have 44 members each in the Assembly, and the Speaker will have to decide the opposition leader based on the highest voting percentage of the two parties.
JD(S) sources said that at the meeting on Saturday, the party did not concede to any of the demands put forth by the BSR Congress leader, while people close to Sreeramulu said that the party had decided to go with the JD(S) as it could help both parties.
Sreeramulu demanÂded the position of deputy opposition leader, in lieu of support to the JD(S), but KumarasÂwamy refused, sources said. Sreeramulu has had several rounds of talks with BJP leaders and KJP leaders, but no decision has been taken.
