BANGALORE: The JD(S) -BJP alliance appears to break before taking shape. The efforts of former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and former deputy CM R Ashoka for an having understanding for the Bangalore Rural and Mandya Lok Sabha bypolls has gone a step backward with JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda categorically ruling out open or tacit understanding with the BJP.

The BJP after offering to support JD(S) in the bypoll, had demanded that the latter openly declare the alliance. The deal was that the BJP would support JD(S) in the Lok Sabha bypoll, inturn Kumaraswamy should not field any candidate for the three vacant seats to Upper House. In this regard, both Kumaraswamy and BJP leaders had held couple of meetings.

Following close door meetings, the BJP has fielded two candidates - B Nagaraju and Bangalore South MLA M Krishnappa. If the alliance succeeds by last day for withdrawal of nominations on Wednesday, both the BJP candidates will withdraw their nominations in favour of JD(S). In case of a failure, Krishnappa will withdraw and Nagaraju will remain in the fray. Former zilla panchayat member K S Doraiswamy is the BJP candidate from Mandya.

Even as BJP demanded for an open alliance, Gowda on Monday reacted saying he was not in favour of an alliance either open or tacit with BJP. When told about Kumaraswamy-Ashoka meeting, Gowda said Kumaraswamy was just a state president of the party, as a national president he would disapprove any such move.

Meanwhile, chief minister Siddaramaiah said the true colours of JD(S) was out as the party had evinced interest in the joining hands with BJP. "Repeatedly JD(S) is showing its communal colours by aligning with BJP. What happened to secular promises made by JD(S) to minorities? What ever may be the developments, Congress will not be affected by it. It will emerge victorious in both the segments," CM said.

