JD(S) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy expressed his displeasure over comments by former Hassan MLA Preetam J. Gowda regarding the BJP–JD(S) alliance. Speaking in Hassan district, Nikhil said there was support for the alliance among people dissatisfied with the Congress government and urged senior BJP and JD(S) leaders to address statements that could affect the alliance. The issue reflects the continuing political debate over the alliance’s strategy ahead of future elections.