Congress backs JD-S on Karnataka government formation (Lead)

Bengaluru, May 15 (IANS) The Congress on Tuesday said it had offered its backing to the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) to form a government in Karnataka following a hung Assembly.

Party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the party had preliminary telephonic talk with both JD-S chief and former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda and his son and former Chief Minister. H.D. Kumaraswamy over government formation.

"They have accepted the offer," Azad said in the company of outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Assembly election took place on Saturday and the Bharatiya Janata Party finished as the single largest group in the 224-seat house. Two constituencies did not vote.

"We will meet the Governor and stake claim for government formation... Our numbers put together will be more than the BJP's," Azad said.