BENGALURU: The BJP-JD(S) alliance is showing signs of strain even as the process of forming the govt at the Centre unfolds. Functionaries from both parties are engaging in a blame game over Lok Sabha election results with JD(S) members accusing BJP of failing to transfer votes to JD(S) candidates, while BJP representatives hold the regional party responsible for the setback in Karnataka.
Some BJP functionaries are worried that JD(S) might exploit the alliance to grow stronger by the next assembly elections and become ‘kingmaker’. They view the alliance as a liability and want an end to the partnership so that they can work independently and secure a majority on their own.
The dissent is particularly evident in Hassan, where there was strong resistance to offering the seat to JD(S). The regional outfit fielded incumbent MP, Prajwal Revanna, who later became embroiled in a sex scandal and the alliance suffered a humiliating defeat.
“Our high command formed this alliance in the best interests of the party and we all worked honestly for it,” said Sakalespur MLA S Manjunath, alias Cement Manju, of BJP. “But going forward, the alliance will be a liability as it would weaken our party’s position in the state. We should end the alliance.”
Manju says snapping ties with JD(S) will not affect the stability of the NDA govt at the Centre, since JD(S) won only two seats. He and likeminded legislators plan to raise the issue at BJP’s Legislative Party meeting.
Breaching Vokkaliga heartland
BJP brass decided on an alliance to make inroads into the Vokkaliga heartland where they have traditionally struggled in elections. JD(S) functionaries argue that the move has paid off, citing BJP’s victory in Vokkaliga-dominant seats such as Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Mysore, Tumkur, and Chikkaballapur. They say BJP failed to transfer votes in Hassan, leading to Prajwal’s loss, and that the sex scandal had little impact as it surfaced near the end of campaigning.
“It is clear from the numbers that BJP benefited,” said KA Tippeswamy, JD(S) poll campaign coordinator and senior MLC. “Not just in the Vokkalgia belt, the alliance helped them in other seats including Udupi-Chikmagalur, Shimoga and Belgaum where JD(S) has a significant vote base.”
But BJP representatives disagree and point to the party’s defeat in seats like Chamarajanagar, Raichur, Koppal, and Bellary, accusing JD(S) of failing to ensure a lead for BJP candidates in assembly segments where it has influence over voters.
“The alliance is for mutual benefit, but it is clear that JD(S) gained more as its tally doubled from one in 2019,” said Preetham Gowda, BJP state general secretary.
‘INFIGHTING IN BJP TO BLAME’
Even in seats like Tumkur where BJP won, the lead for its candidate V Somanna is not substantial in the assembly segments represented by JD(S). For example, in Turuvekere, represented by JD(S), BJP secured a lead of only 43,000 votes, despite combined votes of JD(S) and BJP in the last year’s assembly polls being over 1.2 lakh.
Similarly, in Chikkanayakanahalli, also represented by JD(S), Sommanna’s lead is just 8,000 votes. “There are different reasons for this but infighting in BJP caused the most damage,” said Sharanu Gowda Kandakur, JD(S) MLA from Gurmitkal, who ensured a lead of 18,000 votes in the segment for BJP candidate Umesh Jhadav in Gulbarga Lok Sabha seat.
Some BJP functionaries are worried that JD(S) might exploit the alliance to grow stronger by the next assembly elections and become ‘kingmaker’. They view the alliance as a liability and want an end to the partnership so that they can work independently and secure a majority on their own.
The dissent is particularly evident in Hassan, where there was strong resistance to offering the seat to JD(S). The regional outfit fielded incumbent MP, Prajwal Revanna, who later became embroiled in a sex scandal and the alliance suffered a humiliating defeat.
“Our high command formed this alliance in the best interests of the party and we all worked honestly for it,” said Sakalespur MLA S Manjunath, alias Cement Manju, of BJP. “But going forward, the alliance will be a liability as it would weaken our party’s position in the state. We should end the alliance.”
Manju says snapping ties with JD(S) will not affect the stability of the NDA govt at the Centre, since JD(S) won only two seats. He and likeminded legislators plan to raise the issue at BJP’s Legislative Party meeting.
Breaching Vokkaliga heartland
BJP brass decided on an alliance to make inroads into the Vokkaliga heartland where they have traditionally struggled in elections. JD(S) functionaries argue that the move has paid off, citing BJP’s victory in Vokkaliga-dominant seats such as Bangalore Rural, Bangalore North, Mysore, Tumkur, and Chikkaballapur. They say BJP failed to transfer votes in Hassan, leading to Prajwal’s loss, and that the sex scandal had little impact as it surfaced near the end of campaigning.
“It is clear from the numbers that BJP benefited,” said KA Tippeswamy, JD(S) poll campaign coordinator and senior MLC. “Not just in the Vokkalgia belt, the alliance helped them in other seats including Udupi-Chikmagalur, Shimoga and Belgaum where JD(S) has a significant vote base.”
But BJP representatives disagree and point to the party’s defeat in seats like Chamarajanagar, Raichur, Koppal, and Bellary, accusing JD(S) of failing to ensure a lead for BJP candidates in assembly segments where it has influence over voters.
“The alliance is for mutual benefit, but it is clear that JD(S) gained more as its tally doubled from one in 2019,” said Preetham Gowda, BJP state general secretary.
‘INFIGHTING IN BJP TO BLAME’
Even in seats like Tumkur where BJP won, the lead for its candidate V Somanna is not substantial in the assembly segments represented by JD(S). For example, in Turuvekere, represented by JD(S), BJP secured a lead of only 43,000 votes, despite combined votes of JD(S) and BJP in the last year’s assembly polls being over 1.2 lakh.
Similarly, in Chikkanayakanahalli, also represented by JD(S), Sommanna’s lead is just 8,000 votes. “There are different reasons for this but infighting in BJP caused the most damage,” said Sharanu Gowda Kandakur, JD(S) MLA from Gurmitkal, who ensured a lead of 18,000 votes in the segment for BJP candidate Umesh Jhadav in Gulbarga Lok Sabha seat.
