BENGALURU, Feb. 16 -- Union minister HD Kumaraswamy has rejected reports of confusion within the alliance between the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya Janata Party, saying there was clarity between the partners and that discussions about the chief minister's post were premature.

Speaking to reporters at the party's state office, JP Bhavan, after a preparatory meeting for the Greater Bengaluru Authority elections, Kumaraswamy said leadership questions should not be raised at this stage.

"This is not the time to discuss who should become the chief minister. There is still time for that. If we speak about it now, it would be like stitching the cradle even before the baby is born," Kumaraswamy said.

Speculation about differences with...