KARNATAKA: COSY UP TO THE GOWDAS
Both the Congress and BJP are sizing up the JD(S) as a post-poll friend they may need
With political pundits predicting a hung verdict in the coming state assembly polls (to be held in AprilMay), both the ruling Congress and the BJP are competing to cosy up to the Janata Dal (Secular), a party that has been out of power for a decade.
Although former prime minister and JD(S) chief H.D. Deve Gowda has ruled out a pre-poll alliance with either rival, the party has been known to make unexpected ‘concessions’ to grab power. In fact, JD(S) leaders are being pretty open about the fact that a hung house would work to their advantage. Insiders say back channels are already open with both the Congress and BJP.
Analysts say both parties could get less than a hundred seats, much short of a majority in the 224-seat assembly. “Both parties will then have no choice but to go with the JD(S),” says veteran political observer A. Veerappa. He says the JD(S), which should bag 40-odd seats, could well play the kingmaker.
The JD(S) remains a dominant force in its traditional Old Mysuru (south Karnataka) strongholds where its main rival is the Congress. It’s north Karnataka and the coastal districts which will essentially see the Congress versus BJP faceoff.
The JD(S) could scuttle the Congress’s prospects in Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Tumakuru, Ramanagara and Kolar districts. Aware of the JD(S)’s strength in the south, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is not on good terms with Gowda, is relying on the exPM’s son, “old friend” H.D. Revanna, to cobble together a coalition, if needed.
However, the general mood within the JD(S) isn’t in favour of a tie-up with the Congress. Gowda too made this clear in Mangaluru on January 22, saying, “We have burnt our fingers in the past by aligning with the Congress.”
A senior party leader, who requested anonymity, also confirmed this. “The Congress is not in power at the Centre. And the BJP is stronger across the nation. It makes sense to go with the most popular party,” he says.
The BJP has been actively wooing leaders and seers of the Vokkaliga community, who wield influence over voters in the south Karnataka constituencies. Former Congress CM S.M. Krishna, now with the BJP, could be of help here, at least in Mandya district, where the party has been a no-show in the past. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, during a visit to Bengaluru on January 7, stayed at the Adichunchanagiri mutt, the revered religious centre of the Vokkaligas. BJP president Amit Shah too makes it a point to meet the head pontiff whenever he is in the city. Vokkaligas constitute the second largest community in the state and have traditionally supported the JD(S).
Veerappa says “it’ll be hard for the BJP to break into the Vokkaliga vote bank. But it can use its good offices with the pontiff to prevail over the JD(S) if required”. For now, it’s Gowda who is enjoying the guessing game.
JD(S) LEADERS OPENLY ADMIT THAT A HUNG HOUSE WOULD WORK TO THEIR ADVANTAGE