Kumaraswamy’s Decision to Align with BJP Raises Questions for Congress in Karnataka
Bengaluru, 21st July 2023: On Friday, Janata Dal Secular (JD-S) leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy made a significant announcement, stating that his party has chosen to work as the opposition alongside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the best interests of the state.
Kumaraswamy revealed that JD(S) chief and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda has authorized him to make the final decision about the party’s course of action. While there is still time to discuss parliamentary elections, reports have emerged suggesting that JD(S) may join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ahead of next year’s Lok Sabha polls.
Addressing a question about the discussions held during the party’s Legislature Party meeting on Thursday, Kumaraswamy reaffirmed that since both the BJP and JD(S) are opposition parties, they have mutually decided to work together for the welfare of the state. He shared that during the meeting, Gowda proposed forming a 10-member team that would represent all communities, aimed at strengthening the party organization and voicing opposition against the perceived wrongdoings of the current Congress-led government across all 31 districts.
Emphasizing the significance of parliamentary elections, which are scheduled in 11 months, Kumaraswamy stated that the party will be working towards organizing itself effectively. He highlighted that Deve Gowda has granted him the authority to make the final decision concerning the party’s approach.
In the last elections for the 224-member Karnataka Assembly held in May, the Congress secured 135 seats, while the BJP and JD(S) won 66 and 19 seats, respectively. With Kumaraswamy’s recent announcement, political dynamics in Karnataka have become even more intriguing, as the Congress faces potential challenges in maintaining its stronghold in the state.
