Less than a week after the JD(S)-Congress coalition government collapsed in Karnataka, former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy is facing a new challenge—of holding his flock together. While three party legislators have already resigned, many others are in favour of extending support to the BJP government. Speaking to THE WEEK, Kumaraswamy rules out support to the BJP while reasserting that his party is inclined to continue its alliance with the Congress to form a strong opposition to take on the "undemocratic" BJP.
Excerpts from the interview
Is it true that some of the JD(S) MLAs are in favour of extending support to the BJP government?
That question does not arise. The BJP has no need for anybody's support. Yediyurappa is an expert now. He is capable of making ten more MLAs resign to ensure his government is stable. So, they don't need us. We have decided to work as an effective opposition party.
What is your party's plan ahead of the floor test by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Monday?
We will take a decision on the floor test in consultation with the Congress. However, we will allow the passage of finance bill. At present, we don't know if floor test will precede the finance bill. Keeping in view the development of the state, we will support the bill as it should not inconvenience the state.
Do you think the BJP has the majority?
In my opinion there won't be any change in the numbers from what we saw during my confidence motion. The Congress and the JD(S) together have 100 and the BJP is at 105. It will remain the same in all probability.
What is the status of the Congress-JD(S) alliance now?
We have abided by the power-sharing agreement made between the coalition partners. We have not changed our stand. As far as we are concerned, the alliance is intact. The Congress is free to take a call on whether they want to continue the alliance or not.
Have you held consultations with the Congress leaders after the collapse of the coalition?
No. After I tendered my resignation to the governor, I have not spoken to any of the Congress leaders.
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JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda says you had to endure a lot in the coalition. Do you feel you were made to suffer?
That is a closed chapter now. We are keen to be in the alliance as we need a strong opposition. So, I don't want personal issues to affect the alliance. Power is not important to me as I have seen everything. How I was treated is not important now. I will speak out at an appropriate time.
Some JD(S) leaders feel that the alliance will curtail the growth of the party.
Today, it is not a question of the JD(S) wanting to be independent or part of the alliance. Looking at how BJP is assaulting democracy, we feel the need for a strong opposition. We have a responsibility to rectify the flaws in the system and check the BJP's undemocratic tendencies.
So, how serious are you in playing a strong opposition?
Let me remind the people that in 2008, the Congress was the principal opposition. But it was the JD(S) which unearthed many of the BJP scams with documentary evidence. This time too we plan to play a constructive role in the state by keeping tabs on the ruling party. This is nothing new as my party has had a long history of being an effective opposition party.
Why do you think some of your legislators feel that they would be better off with the BJP?
It is their personal opinion and they should not try to impose it on the party. We cannot force someone to stay back in the party if they have made up their mind to go. We should have mutual trust. But some feel they lack the strength to sustain and survive. We have encouraged those who are serious about building and strengthening the party. We are ready to support such leaders. In politics all these are common. Some join the party and some quit.
What would be your new role?
I am a free man now. I will focus on building and strengthening my party.
Being a regional party, do you feel threatened by the national parties today?
It is very difficult for a regional party to withstand the assaults by larger parties, especially when it is out of power. But I have taken it up as a challenge. We have survived the last 20 years and I believe we will survive in future too.
