BJP, JD(S) join forces to take on Congress govt in Karnataka

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Aug 8, 2026: Opposition parties BJP and JD(S) have decided to coordinate their strategy against the Congress government in Karnataka, both inside and outside the legislature, with Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka saying the two parties will jointly raise several issues during the upcoming Assembly session.

The decision was taken at a meeting between BJP leaders and a JD(S) delegation led by Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, as the opposition parties seek to intensify their campaign against the ruling Congress ahead of the elections.

Ashoka said the BJP and JD(S) had agreed to jointly oppose the government’s proposed land acquisition and real estate development plans linked to the AI-powered Bidadi township project in Bengaluru South district.

"Today, we decided to jointly fight against the Congress government over the land acquisition at Bidadi," Ashoka said.

The two parties will also coordinate protests during the legislature session. Ashoka said a joint protest would be held at Freedom Park when the Assembly is in session, with issues being raised both inside and outside the House.

He said the JD(S) had assured full support to the BJP in raising issues related to the Bidadi township, alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC), and other matters.

"From now on, we have also decided that in all major struggles that take place in Karnataka, we should work together," Ashoka said.

He announced that a state-level coordination committee comprising leaders from both parties would be formed within the next two or three days. The committee is expected to have around five members from each party and may also include Union ministers.

Ashoka said the two parties would jointly take up protests and agitations at the district level as well.

He also said BJP workers would participate in a padayatra led by Nikhil Kumaraswamy in Bidadi on Sunday. BJP and JD(S) leaders, including Kumaraswamy and Ashoka, are expected to attend the inauguration of the march at around 10.30 am. Nikhil has been permitted to take out the padayatra up to the Bengaluru border, Ashoka said.

On former minister B Nagendra, Ashoka said no decision had been finalised and that opposition leaders would decide which issues to raise once the Assembly session begins.

The opposition parties are also considering holding a joint legislature party meeting, Ashoka added.