Why BJP snubbed Deve Gowda, picked new NDA face from Karnataka for RS polls

The long-standing expectation that former prime minister HD Deve Gowda would be re-elected to the Rajya Sabha has finally come to an end. The BJP has announced the NDA's list of candidates for the 2026 Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council elections, and Deve Gowda's name is missing from it. Instead, M. Nagaraj has been chosen as the NDA's Rajya Sabha candidate from Karnataka.

Deve Gowda was vying for the seat in the upper house of Parliament at the age of 93, and if nominated, would have been expected to serve his term till he was 99 years old.

Also read: BJP announces candidates from Karnataka, MP for Rajya Sabha polls

Given the alliance between the BJP and the JD(S) in Karnataka, there had been strong expectations within JD(S) circles that Deve Gowda would be given another term. There was also a political calculation that his experience and influence could help consolidate Vokkaliga votes ahead of the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections. However, the BJP high command has surprised many by opting for a new face.

Elections for 24 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states are slated to be held on June 18.

Why NDA chose new face

Deve Gowda, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2020, has been serving as the JD(S)'s voice in national politics over the past few years. There was also an expectation that the JD(S), as part of the NDA, would continue to have representation in the Upper House.

With the Congress government led by DK Shivakumar now in power in Karnataka, maintaining influence over the Vokkaliga vote base in the Old Mysuru region remains a key challenge for the BJP-JD(S) alliance. Against this backdrop, political observers believed Deve Gowda might be given another Rajya Sabha term.

Also read: Why a Rajya Sabha seat is threatening Congress-JMM alliance in Jharkhand

However, reports suggest there were differences of opinion within the BJP over granting him another opportunity. While no leader openly opposed the move, some sections of the party reportedly felt that new faces should be given a chance.

Sources indicate that, after considering factors such as age and health, the BJP leadership decided to nominate Nagaraj instead of Deve Gowda.

Rift in alliance?

Political analysts believe the denial of a Rajya Sabha ticket to Deve Gowda could prove to be a setback for the JD(S). As one of the party's principal power centres, his absence could become a subject of discussion and concern among party workers.

The development has also raised fresh questions about the internal dynamics of the BJP-JD(S) alliance. There have already been reports suggesting that JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy does not enjoy particularly smooth relations with some state BJP leaders. It is also widely believed that Kumaraswamy often engages directly with the BJP's national leadership while taking major political decisions.

Also read: Rajya Sabha elections 2026: Voting for 11 seats in three states underway

Internal grievances

Although the BJP-JD(S) alliance remains intact in Karnataka, it is no secret that both parties have their share of internal grievances. In the past, there have been instances where recommendations made by the Karnataka BJP leadership were not accepted by the party high command. At the same time, Kumaraswamy's strong rapport with senior BJP leaders at the national level has played a crucial role in keeping the alliance together.

Even so, the denial of a Rajya Sabha berth to Deve Gowda has become a major talking point among JD(S) leaders and workers. How far this development will affect BJP-JD(S) relations in the coming months remains a matter of considerable political interest.

(The story first appeared in The Federal Karnataka)