The Congress-JD(S) coalition in the state of Karnataka seems to have landed in deep trouble with senior JD(S) leader Basavaraj Horatti calling for the dissolution of the Karnataka Assembly. The senior leader belonging to the JD (S) did not mince his words and stated that the people across the state were ‘unhappy’. He stated, “They should take a firm decision. Let them allow the government to function or dissolve the assembly. I am disappointed. I keep meeting people across the state. They’re not happy. They say what are the statements that are coming out recently. I want to convey what people feel to the government.”
Meanwhile, Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy asked leaders from both the coalition parties to refrain from making controversial statements. He stated that attempts were being made to form a new non-BJP government at the centre and any controversial comments might throttle such attempts. He tweeted, “Hence my humble request to the leaders of both the parties to restrain from making contradictory- controversial statements in public and to support the cause.”
We are on the verge of formation of a new Government at the centre. At this juncture where all efforts are being made to form non-BJP government at the centre, the contradictory statements by leaders of coalition partners #Congress–#JDS may mar such efforts.
— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | H.D.Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) May 18, 2019
Hence my humble request to the leaders of both the parties to restrain from making contradictory- controversial statements in public and to support the cause.
— ಹೆಚ್.ಡಿ.ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ | H.D.Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) May 18, 2019
It must be noted that the unholy alliance between the Congress and the JD(S) has not been on a strong footing ever since it came into existence. Only recently, former Karnataka CM, Siddaramaiah hit out at Kumaraswamy after the latter stated that Malikarjun Kharge was not given enough recognition for his work and that he should have been made the Karnataka CM long back. He also stated that now Kharge is eligible for even higher posts. In what was clearly a jibe at Kumaraswamy’s remarks, Siddaramaiah stated that Kumaraswamy was right when he said that Kharge was eligible for higher posts. Siddaramaiah tweeted that Kumaraswamy’s elder brother HD Revanna was eligible for the post of Karnataka CM.
It must be noted that recently the alliance fell into trouble amid the growing clamour for Siddaramaiah becoming Karnataka CM once again. As per an India Today report, Karnataka Home Minister, MP Patil, joined the chorus of the Congress leaders demanding Siddaramaiah be given another term as the chief minister of the state. However, the former Karnataka Chief Minister has dismissed the rumours and denied any such intention. The JD(S) obviously did not seem very comfortable with this development. Tanveer Ahmed, JD(S) spokesperson said, “I am sure MB Patil would have a lot of respect for Siddaramaiah and his governance. He is free to voice his aspirations but right now in the numbers game, Kumaraswamy is the CM and he would continue to be so.”
With a senior JD (S) leader also making a statement against the continuation of the coalition, the coalition seems rather fragile. It remains to be seen for how long the unholy alliance can survive from here.