Is the BJP-JDS alliance under strain in Karnataka? Union Min Kumaraswamy to focus on JD(S) strongholds

 

The BJP-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka helped the National Democratic Alliance win 17 seats in the southern state during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. But, almost a year later, the two parties seem worried about the alliance depriving them of an opportunity to grow and expand politically.

 

While Janata Dal (Secular) state president H.D. Kumaraswamy is now part of the Narendra Modi government as Union industries minister and JD(S) patriarch and Rajya Sabha MP H.D. Devegowda is a vocal advocate of Modi’s policies including the recent Waqf bill, the regional party in the state fears slipping into oblivion.

 

Last week, the Bharatiya Janata Party organised two protests – an overnight dharna at Freedom Park to oppose price hike, and a second protest at Vidhana Soudha against the suspension of 18 BJP MLAs (for six months). However, the regional party's legislators were conspicuous by their absence at both events.

 

An embarrassed JD(S) leader expressed his disappointment over not being invited to the protests by their ally. “We believe the alliance will be effective if we come together and target the ruling Congress on their flawed policies. I certainly feel there is a need for a coordination committee between the alliance partners for better coordination,” said JDLP leader Suresh Babu.

 

Babu’s sentiment was shared by Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who is handling the party affairs in the absence of his father, as Kumaraswamy finds little time to focus on the party affairs due to his ministerial duties.

 

The state BJP leaders contended that all was well and a coordination committee would be a “good suggestion". However, the saffron party leaders are going ahead with the statewide ''Jan Aaakrosh Yatra’, which will be held in four phases starting from April 7, hints at the reluctance of the party to involve the regional party.

 

“There is no rift between the two parties. But it is a fact that BJP cannot invite the alliance partner to each of its party events,” said BJP MLA V. Sunil Kumar.

 

Even as the two parties maintain that all is well, the mood in the parties tells a different story as the cadres and also local leaders are bracing for a tough battle in the upcoming local body (Zilla panchayat, town panchayat and corporation) elections. Also, the alliance is proving to be a hindrance to the BJP’s grand expansion plan in the old Mysuru region. The alliance would only help the regional party grow stronger, and the saffron party, which is 10-15 seats short of the magic number (majority) in the Karnataka Assembly, has to win them in Old Mysore, which is the stronghold of the JD(S).

 

Many leaders feel the joint protests would give more mileage to the regional partner citing the example of the “Mysore Chalo padayatra” (march) jointly organised by BJP and the JD(S) last year demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the MUDA land allotment scam. The rally turned into a political slugfest between Kumaraswamy and KPCC chief D.K. Shivakumar, as both the community leaders tried to establish their dominance in the Vokkaliga heartland.

 

The Vokkaliga leaders within the BJP – from Opposition leader R. Ashok, Dr C.N. Ashwath Narayan, S.R. Vishwanath, Dr K. Sudhakar, MLC C.T. Ravi, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje and former Union minister D.V. Sadadananda Gowda have failed to win the confidence of the community, which is rallying behind Kumaraswamy and Shivakumar.

 

Some BJP leaders pointed out that the JDS was not proactive in opposing the Greater Bengaluru (GBA) Bill or the 4 per cent Muslim reservation in Civil Contracts Bill in the assembly and the legislative council, but held a separate protest at Freedom Park.

 

Kumaraswamy asserted that there was no trust deficit between the allies. However, the former chief minister held marathon meetings with his party legislators and leaders at his Bengaluru residence on Saturday, where he discussed plans to strengthen the JD(S) in Bengaluru metropolitan region and to prepare for the upcoming taluk and zilla panchayat elections. He instructed his party leaders to organise statewide protests against the “misgovernance” of the Congress government, besides discussing the replacement of inactive district presidents, filling up vacant district president posts, and the progress of the membership registration drive.

The minister informed his party leaders that he would tour 15 districts in the Old Mysuru region to strengthen the party at the grassroots.

 

“I will spend a day each in these districts, with party workers and leaders, and listen to their grievances. As a minister, I am striving to do meaningful work in line with prime minister's expectations. Despite my hectic responsibilities at the Centre, I am making time for party work,” he told the party leaders. 

 

“JD(S) is indispensable in Karnataka. Our stand must always be with the common people. I will support and strengthen our candidates who have polled 50,000 votes and prepare them for the next election,” declared Kumaraswamy. 

India