JD(S) rules out extending support to BJP; promises to be a constructive opposition

Is the JD(S) cosying up to the ruling BJP in Karnataka once again?

Even as Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa is all set to face the crucial floor test on Monday, there is a sudden flutter in the JD(S) camp. It was revealed at the legislature party meeting of the JD(S) held on Friday that the regional party is divided over the issue of the party being in the opposition.

While some JD(S) legislators confided that they were in favour of extending outside support to the BJP government, some others felt they would be better off as the opposition.

Many legislators shared their anguish at being thrown out of power within 14 months. Some hoped that by supporting the BJP, they could bargain for development funds for their constituencies.

Former minister G.T. Devegowda said many legislators had voiced their opinion in the meeting and party supremo H. D. Deve Gowda and former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had to take a final call.

On Saturday, Kumaraswamy, who had a long discussion with his father, ruled out such a possibility. "There is no question of the JD(S) joining hands with the BJP or extending support. We will focus on being a constructive opposition in the assembly. Some MLAs perhaps lack the confidence to fight elections on their own and they feel they can do better with the BJP's support. But the party cannot endorse individual opinions," said Kumaraswamy.

"Both the Congress and the JD(S) legislators are anguished at losing power. One need not take G.T. Devegowda's statement seriously. It is only an opinion. Does he not have the right to voice his opinion," asked Deve Gowda, trying to downplay the issue.

"Nobody can destroy the JD(S). We are not hassled over losing power. We will work towards strengthening our party. I started focusing on building the party the day I was defeated in Tumkur in the Lok Sabha polls," said Deve Gowda, giving a clarion call to his partyworkers.

While the Congress party has slammed the BJP for forming the government without a "clear majority", Deve Gowda congratulated Yediyurappa on being sworn in as the chief minister.

Incidentally, Yediyurappa is scheduled to take a floor test on Monday, prior to the tabling the financial bill. But the JD(S) leaders said they would allow for the smooth passage of appropriation bill, which is crucial for running the state.

"We will support the bill. We will also extend support to issue-based, pro-people decisions of the BJP government. I still remember how my son suffered as the chief minister," said Deve Gowda who has also welcomed Yediyurappa's remarks that he would not indulge in vindictive politics.

"We will not oppose for the sake of opposing. Today Yediyurappa is having the majority and he will be moving the bill. There is no need for debate as Kumaraswamy had taken vote on account till July 31 in his last budget. This is only a continuation of that," said Deve Gowda.

The party is planning to host a women's convention in Bengaluru in August.

The JD(S) patriarch is irked by his party rebels H. Vishwanath, Gopalaiah and Narayan Gowda, whose resignations caused the collapse of the Kumaraswamy-led coalition government.

"The rebels have made allegations against Kumaraswamy and left for Mumbai. The speaker will decide on their resignations," said Deve Gowda, who seems to have vowed to wrest the constituencies represented by the rebels in the next election. The party is holding meetings in Mahalakshmi Layout, KR Puram, RR Nagar and Yeshwantpur constituencies to finalise the candidates for the byelections.

The last time when seven JD(S) party rebels, led by Zameer Ahmed Khan, had joined the Congress party, the JD(S) had ensured the defeat of at least four candidates.