‘Secular’ Gowda eyes UPA nest

The Congress in Karnataka, in turn, is maintaining silence on the matter

BANGALORE:  With Navratri festival coming to an end, countdown has begun in Karnataka for political polarisation. However, no on is sure, as to which way the JD(S) - which holds key for forming a coalition in the State would tilt.

The JD(S) legislators are as clueless as a common man over the issue. Though they are not keen on joining hands with Congress, which is a traditional rival for them in the old Mysore region, they are ready to make sacrifices to avoid a mid-term poll.

The Congress, in turn, has asked its leaders to maintain silence, till such time the party high command gave signals. Meanwhile, BJP is waiting for an unconditional decision of JD(S) faction headed by Kumaraswamy to declare that they would be part of NDA.

The 20-day political impasse has put all the political parties in a fix. While every party want to fish in the troubled water, no legislator is ready for an early poll. The leaders of all the three political parties - Congress, BJP and JD(S) are now trying hard to give an alternative solution, without sacrificing their respective party interest.

Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, who played a major role in bringing down the BJP-JD(S) coalition government, is trying hard to prove his ‘secular credentials’ to the leaders in Centre.

However, lukewarm response from the Congress and left leaders has sent him defensive. Though he failed to make major breakthrough during his last week’s Delhi visit, both Rajya Sabha MP and industrialist Rajiv Chandrashekhar and senior leader Ram Jethmalani have indicated that the things would start falling in place after Dussara.
Gowda is already feeling heat from within the party, with legislators sending enough indications that they were not ready for elections.

Onus is on the second line leaders like former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, party president Merajuddin Patel and senior leader MP Prakash to convince Gowda over the issue. The contention is simple: they would abide by the party, if mid-term poll is avoided.

Or else, they would be forced to look for better avenues.  Post President rule, Congress has made best of the administration. What has baffled both BJP and JD(S) leaders is that Congress leaders having access to most of the official files.

But the Congress leaders have realised that the corruption charges, that they would level against BJP-JD(S) coalition government, is not sufficient to counter the sympathy wave, the BJP is riding on. The party leaders are in favour of avoiding a mid-term poll, as well as containing BJP from getting back to power with JD(S).

The State BJP leaders are sending feelers to Kumaraswamy faction to hold talks. It is also not clear, if such move has nod of the party central leaders. Kumaraswamy faction is waiting for Gowda to come out with an alternative, before opening any channels with BJP.