The alliance between the Congress and JD(S) continues to remain unstable. Local leadership of the INC has been unhappy with the alliance with JD(S). Senior stalwart Congress leader of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar said that he swallowed bitter pills for a secular Congress- JD(S) alliance. Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, G. Parameshwara earlier said alliance with the JD(S) is not good for the long term but also conceded that they had no other options. After the HD Kumaraswamy’s oath as Chief Minister, a bitter fight between Congress and JD(S) ensued over the distribution of cabinet portfolios in the government.
Former CM Siddaramaiah lambasted the incumbent CM HD Kumaraswamy on farm loan waiver. He said, “We have coalition government in the state but all the schemes that were introduced by me during our government continue.” He further added, “I have already waived off farmer loans so what more to do?”
Now, Siddaramaiah is more disgruntled and unhappy because HD Kumaraswamy is going to pass a new budget, Siddaramaiah has already passed a budget before leaving the office. Infact Kumaraswamy spoke to Rahul Gandhi about presenting a new budget and he got the permission. Probably, Kumaraswamy is doing this just to undermine Siddaramaiah’s status.
In a new video footage released by a news channel, Siddaramaiah was seen objecting over the new budget. He was seen saying, “They are going to present budget it seems. Went to Rahul Gandhi and he gives green signal. Parameshwara also says that it is quite common for a government to present a new budget. All of us say that all new governments present fresh budget. I have no objection if a political party that wins majority on its own present a new budget. He (Kumaraswamy) has become chief minister with the support of Congress. There is a budget that was presented by Congress. Let them present a new budget if they continue in power. We have not yet prepared a common minimum programme, but preparations are on to prepare a new budget.” He is unhappy being completely sidelined by the Congress and also for not being allotted a prominent position in the new government.
In a press conference on Monday, Kumaraswamy sharply attacked Siddaramaiah and said, “I am not at the mercy of anyone.”
In another surfaced video, Siddaramaiah can be seen showing apprehensions about the longevity of the alliance. When asked whether the alliance would complete its five years or not? Siddaramaiah said, “five years…difficult…let’s see what will happen after the parliament election (in 2019).” He further added, “They (government) will remain until parliament elections are over, after that, what all developments will happen (we will have to see).”
Since the video has surfaced there are rumours in the political circles that some Congress leaders are looking forward to join hands with the BJP to topple down the Kumaraswamy government, before the presentation of state budget on 5 July, reports the economic times.
Meanwhile, after keeping a low profile for over a month, BS Yeddyurappa sudden trip to Ahmedabad to meet Amit Shah sparked speculation in Bengaluru that he was “confident” of forming the government and was seeking Shah’s permission to go ahead. However, BJP sources clarified that Yeddyurappa officially is in Ahemdabad to discuss 2019 Lok Sabha poll strategy, along with that he has also submitted a list of unhappy Congress MLAs to Amit Shah. The News Minute reported that a source close to Yeddyurappa said, “Yeddyurappa wants to lure these MLAs to the BJP and table a no-confidence motion when the Assembly session starts on July 2. But Amit Shah has advised Yeddyurappa not to rush things. It has not yet been decided whether the BJP will hold talks with the Congress leaders who are unhappy. If they want to join the party, then they are welcome.”
The Congress- JD(S) alliance has been vulnerable since its beginning. Now, after the recent developments it would be interesting to see how long will this alliance survive.