Karnataka: Cracks in JD(S)-BJP alliance emerge as first phase of LS election takes off

As the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka took off on April 26, the fissures within the JDS–BJP alliance emerged once again, indicating potential challenges for the coalition in days to come.

Former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda's recent criticism of BJP's lack of cooperation for JD(S) candidates has exposed underlying tensions between the alliance partners.

During a press conference in his hometown Hassan, Deve Gowda hit out at the BJP for purportedly failing to extend support to JD(S) candidates. The fact that the JD(S) supremo expressed his feelings openly comes amid growing discontent within the JD(S) rank and file over the party's electoral alliance with the BJP-led NDA.

"You can hear that one of the BJP leaders is opposing the JD(S) candidate in Hassan. Sumalatha is not cooperating in Mandya," said Deve Gowda, who has, till recently, been batting for the BJP and its leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his election rallies. Prajwal Revanna, Deve Gowda's grandson, is seeking election from Hassan, while his son HD Kumaraswamy is contesting from Mandya.

Though Deve Gowda expressed his unhappiness over the BJP's behaviour as an alliance partner, he nonetheless said the alliance is not in danger. He also expressed hope that all his party candidates, including his son-in-law Dr CN Manjunath, the LS candidate in Bengaluru Rural constituency, would win the elections.

Neck-and-Neck Fight

An internal analysis by the JD(S) indicated a close contest between the JD(S) and the Congress in three key constituencies: Hassan, Mandya, and Kolar. According to sources, the party views this situation as critical since it suffered a significant loss of vote share in the previous assembly elections. The report indicates that if both the BJP and the Congress manage to increase their vote share in the Old Mysuru region, it will pose a challenge to the JD(S) in the future.

Deve Gowda is said to be worried about this development and is not happy with the lack of support from the local BJP leadership for his party candidates. The JD(S) leadership has made it their single agenda to defeat the Congress and is supporting the saffron party in all constituencies. But the BJP is not participating in areas where JD(S) candidates are contesting, said JD(S) sources.

Famous cardiologist Dr Manjunath is pitted against Congress' DK Suresh, brother of deputy CM DK Shivakumar, in Bengaluru Rural. The BJP has retained its old constituencies for its candidates, while the JD(S) was given constituencies which are their strongholds, including Mandya where Kumaraaswamy's son Nikhil fought and lost to independent candidate Sumalatha in 2019.

Sumalatha has now joined the BJP and had to give up the seat to JD(S) for the sake of the alliance.

However, all leaders within the JD(S) are not happy with the father–son duo’s decision to form an alliance with the BJP since it has divided their Vokkaliga voter base. Many Vokkaliga leaders are unhappy with the party's decision to tie up with the saffron party and for also not giving any importance to Vokkaliga leaders other than Gowda's family members, said a former minister and sitting MLA to The Federal.

Discontent not new

Barely a month ago, HD Kumaraswamy expressed his dissatisfaction with the BJP's leadership over the issue of seat-sharing and its decision-making process.

Several JD(S) leaders also accused the BJP of neglecting the top JD(S) leadership and taking decisions unilaterally, particularly concerning seat-sharing exercises, stoking fears within the JD(S) of losing its traditional base in the Old Mysuru region, historically considered a Vokkaliga bastion.

Senior JD(S) leaders openly criticised the BJP's behaviour in a party meeting held last month and highlighted a range of issues regarding the dynamics of the alliance. The concern was the BJP's unilateral selection of candidates for 20 constituencies without prior consultation with senior JD(S) leaders.

Moreover, PM Narendra Modi's recent Karnataka rallies without extending invitation to Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy has further put the alliance under strain. Hearing the rumblings, BJP state chief BY Vijayendra personally called on Kumaraswamy to assure that issues would be resolved. Fearing the discontent among the SD(S) leadership ranks may upset its poll math in the state, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is also said to have held discussion with Deve Gowda.

Discontent within JD(S) ranks

Though Deve Gowda is crying foul over the lack of support from the BJP for its candidates in the three constituencies, he is having to face dissent in his own party. There are rumblings in the JD(S) ranks. Only in Kolar reserve constituency a JD(S) SC leader has been given a ticket.

A former minister and MLA from Mandya district told The Federal that the problem is that no Vokkaliga leader other than Deve Gowda’s family members have been given preference as Lok Sabha candidates and this has caused a lot of discontent in the party. Thus, several JD(S) leaders from the community and former MLAs are not keen on supporting the JD(S) candidates, he said.

“The party has lost its 'secular' tag and after supporting the saffron party and its agenda just to defeat the Congress may boomerang on the party. The Muslim voters of the JD(S) too are not interested in supporting the party now. There is a clear visible division in the party base at the village and Hobli levels," he said.

Meanwhile, another JD(S) MLA said the Congress is playing a safe game in the Old Mysuru region to defeat the JD(S) dynasty. "Even people are watching Congress leader DK Shivakumar's moves to lay claim to the Vokkaliga leadership. But after senior Gowda (Deve Gowda)'s entry, the situation has changed somewhat in favour of JD(S)," he said.

Sources in the JD(S) said Deve Gowda, the 91-year-old Vokkaliga veteran, is participating in election rallies and rigorous election campaigns to ensure the party’s Vokkaliga base remains intact.

However, the JD(S) patriarch is worried about the developments in Mandya and Hassan where the BJP allies seem indifferent to JD(S) Lok Sabha candidates.