Yes you heard it right ! The ongoing strife between Congress & JD(S) might lead to an untimely demise of the coalition, even before the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. It is not us, who are claiming this, but Kumaraswamy & HD Deve Gowda on occasions have gone on to indicate the same.
In his recent statement Gowda said, “In Mandya there is not much harmony (among workers of both parties), because we took a decision in just one or two weeks (to enter by-polls together).” Showing his assertiveness to Former PM’s statement the JD(S)supremo said “still to an extent at the grass root level, there are issues with regard to uniting workers. I’m not hiding anything from anyone.”
On 3 November, by-polls for three Lok Sabha constituencies – Shivamogga, Ballari, Mandya and two assembly segments – Ramanagara and Jamkhandi will take place and counting of the votes will be on 6 November. Congress has fielded its candidates in Jamkhandi and Ballari whereas JD(S), in Shivamogga, Ramanagara and Mandya. Here the two parties will be fighting together against a confident BJP, which is on a high after winning the election to 11-member urban local body, in Belthangady Town Panchayat, for the first time.
BJP’s office was flooded with joy as the results were announced on Wednesday, as BJP emerged victorious on 7 seats and Congress on 4. This was doubled as BJP also won the by-election conducted in Sangabettu Taluk Panchayat constituency in Bantwal Taluk Panchayat on the same day, defeating the Congress candidate. This unprecedented win has certainly sent tremors down the spine of the opposition.
Looking at how Kumaraswamy has shown his discomfort with the alliance & has consistently complained about how Congress undermines him, goes on to show that the alliance won’t last long. While tying up the knot with Congress & terming it as ‘maha-gathbandhan’, Kumaraswamy on record said, “You are standing with bouquets to wish me, as one of your brother became CM & you all are happy, but I’m not. I know the pain of a coalition govt. I became Vishkanth (Lord Shiva) & swallowed pain of this government.”
He also went on to say that, “Mine is not an independent government. I had requested the people to give me a mandate that prevents me from succumbing to any pressure other than you. But today I am at the mercy of the Congress. I am not under the pressure of the 6.5 crore people of the state.”
These statements were in itself evident that the coalition isn’t meant for development of the state but as an opportunity to have a foot-hold in Karnataka.
In all of this ongoing drama, JD(S) & Congress seems to have lost the very idea of them coming together and that is ‘service of the people of Karnataka’. It seems they’ve completely lost the track and the strife in their relationship is leading to people still suffering.
The ultimate aim has now reduced to winning elections and defeating BJP. What lies ahead, is the big question that needs to be pondered over.
