Bengaluru, India: In Bengaluru, tensions are mounting within the BJP-JD(S) alliance amidst the ongoing government formation process at the Centre. Both parties are engaged in a blame game over the outcomes of the recent Lok Sabha elections. JD(S) members accuse the BJP of failing to transfer votes to JD(S) candidates, while BJP representatives point fingers at the regional party for the setback in Karnataka.
There is growing concern among some BJP functionaries that the JD(S) could exploit the alliance to strengthen its position as a potential ‘kingmaker’ in the next assembly elections. They see the alliance as a hindrance and advocate for its termination to allow the BJP to pursue an independent path and secure a majority on its own.
The dissent within the alliance is particularly evident in Hassan, where there was significant opposition to allocating the seat to JD(S). The regional party nominated incumbent MP Prajwal Revanna, who later became embroiled in a scandal, resulting in a humiliating defeat for the alliance.
S. Manjunath, also known as Cement Manju, BJP’s MLA from Sakalespur, emphasized that severing ties with the JD(S) would not impact the stability of the NDA government at the Centre, as JD(S) only secured two seats. He, along with like-minded legislators, intends to raise the issue at the BJP’s Legislative Party meeting.
The decision to form an alliance was aimed at making inroads into the Vokkaliga heartland, where the BJP has historically faced challenges in elections. However, JD(S) functionaries argue that the alliance has yielded positive results, citing BJP’s victories in Vokkaliga-dominated constituencies such as Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Mysore, Tumkur, and Chikkaballapur.
Nevertheless, BJP representatives refute these claims and highlight the party’s defeats in seats like Chamarajanagar, Raichur, Koppal, and Bellary. They accuse the JD(S) of failing to secure leads for BJP candidates in assembly segments where it holds sway over voters.
The discord within the BJP is also evident in seats like Tumkur, where the lead for BJP candidate V Somanna is not significant in assembly segments represented by JD(S). In such instances, internal conflicts within the BJP are cited as the primary cause of damage.
Sharanu Gowda Kandakur, JD(S) MLA from Gurmitkal, who ensured a lead of 18,000 votes in his segment for BJP candidate Umesh Jhadav in the Gulbarga Lok Sabha seat, emphasized that infighting within the BJP was a significant contributing factor to the alliance’s challenges.
