At loggerheads for long, new partners JD(S) and Congress will face multiple challenges as they form govt in K’taka
From arch rival to coalition partners, the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) face multiple challenges once they form a coalition government in Karnataka. The foes-turned-friends will have to keep their vote banks — including the rival Lingayat, Vokkalinga communities, and Dalits and Muslims — in good humour even while pursuing the coalition dharma. The crucial test will be in striking a seat sharing deal for the 28 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 general elections.
This will be quite crucial as JD(S) has quietly made inroads into the strongholds of Congress in the recently concluded assembly election and caused it maximum damage. About 40 per cent polled Muslim and Dalit votes went to the JD(S) though the two communities traditionally supported the Congress.
On top of it, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had dubbed JD(S) as BJP's B team, which was rebutted strongly by HD Deve Gowda and his son HD Kumaraswamy. It is to be seen how both the parties can forget past to start a fresh beginning in the highly-volatile politics.
Another challenge is whether the coalition government revisit Congress government's decision to provide minority religious status to Lingayat community. Former CM Siddaramaiah's gamble has failed as BJP succeeded to bag larger votes of the Lingayat community. Both Congress and JD(S) will have to walk a tightrope on this front.
Furthermore, the coalition government will have to find funds to provide farm loan waiver, which was highlighted by parties during campaign. More than 3,500 farmers were believed to have committed suicide and the government will have to put in place a comprehensive strategy to revive the agriculture sector and its long-term financing. In addition to this, increasing the budgetary support to increase irrigation potential is yet another tough task, considering the present financial position of the state.
This apart, the dispute over the sharing of the Mahadayi or Mandovi river, that flows 35 km through Karnataka and 52 km through Goa, before flowing into the Arabian Sea is another issue the coalition government will have to address on a priority basis. The regions of northern Karnataka, along with the bordering areas of Maharashtra and Goa, have been depending on the Mahadayi basin for water needs, including drinking water and irrigation.
Yeddyurappa had charged that Congress government failed to judiciously use funds received from the Centre under the 14th Finance Commission. However, the challenge is how to get more funds, especially in the wake of GST from the 15th Finance Commission. The coalition government will have to strive to convince BJP led government at the Centre especially after the BJP's attempt to gain power in Karnataka.
Who’s HDK
- HD Kumaraswamy, a former CM, is the eldest son of JD(S) president HD Deve Gowda.
- He was a successful filmmaker & distributor before he tried his hands in active politics.
- He won Kanakapura LS seat in 1996, but lost deposit in the subsequent elections in 1998.
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