After backing the farmers’ “India bandh”, the JDS took a U-turn the next day, offering no explanation. After some time, the former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy weakly tried to defend his party’s position, playing on both sides.
Not surprisingly, the JDS also voted in favor of the recently amended farm laws in the Karnataka Assembly, sparking all kinds of speculation. The “farmers party” decision shocked the harshest cadres, but the Gowdas seem to have other plans.
Kumaraswamy is known for sudden U-turns and inconsistencies, for a long time. He is closing in on the ruling BJP in Karnataka and recent events prove it.
He has been attacking his bête noire and former Congressional CM Siddaramaiah, blaming him for the collapse of his coalition government last year. An outraged Siddaramaiah has also launched a direct attack on Gowda’s son, calling him a “trafficker” and not a leader.
The JDS cadre is nervously watching the developments unfold. Most of the party’s MLA and MLC remain silent, not coming out to defend their leader.
Party patriarch and former HD Prime Minister Deve Gowda adds to the confusion by maintaining a radio silence on current events in his party and Karnataka politics.
According to insiders, at least a dozen JDS MLAs are in contact with the BJP and Congress. Fed up with the party’s indifferent attitude towards them, these MLAs plan to jump ship.
Former minister and senior MLA SR Srinivas is reportedly in talks with the president of the state Congress, DK Shivakumar. The chairman of the JDS state unit and six-time MLA HK Kumaraswamy is also looking at the BJP, internal sources claim.
“At least a dozen will leave the party for the BJP and Congress. Their number will approach the assembly elections to be held in early 2023. Many do not want to risk a partial vote, so they are not leaving now,” said. a disgruntled MLA.
The JDS has about 34 MLAs in a House of 224 members.
Centralization of power with the Gowda family, unilateral decisions and inconsistencies on important issues are said to be the reasons for disenchantment with the party.
“The JDS base of support is eroding faster. As of now, the future looks bleak. Many have concluded that children will not be able to lead the party. Deve Gowda is now 87 years old and not active.” said another leader.
“DK Shivakumar is also a Vokkaliga from the Old Mysore region, the stronghold of the Gowdas. Kumaraswamy is worried about his future. If the Vokkaligas side with DK Shivakumar in the Assembly elections by getting rid of the Gowdas, the The party will sink into the garbage and may not even recover again. That is why it is approaching the BJP to save its base. It does not mind losing the elections. But it does not want DK Shivakumar to win the race for Congress, “he said. a high MLC from the JDS.
The developments at the JDS have given a respite to the embattled Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, who is waging an internal battle to save his chair. He feels that in a situation as fluid as this, the party high command may not touch him.
But given its history of U-turns, JDS could make one more U-turn, altering the political equations once again.
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