The curious case of H D Deve Gowda and the JD(S)
- The JD(S), known as the kingmaker, swears its allegiance to both the Congress and the BJP as per its whims
- The party’s leadership is so unpredictable that even the workers are left feeling clueless
- Gowda-Kumaraswamy, who had supported the BJP in the Legislative Council, have however decided to support the UPA candidate in the presidential elections
FollowIt’s a well established fact that there are no permanent friends or foes in politics. JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda follows this political adage to a T.
Irrespective of the party’s political ideologies, it cannot be ruled out that Gowda has emerged as a creature of convenience -- the recent developments both at the Central and the State level, stands testimony to this fact.
Little wonder that the regional party’s earned the reputation of being a ‘kingmaker’. Here’s a brief look at how the JD(S) has been swearing allegiance to both the Congress and the BJP, as per its whims and fancies.
Despite his rivalry with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Gowda set aside his differences and decided to align with the Congress in the aftermath of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections in the year 2015. Though the BJP had got a clear mandate in the elections, the JD(S) with merely 14 seats, had snatched the BBMP along with the Congress, from the saffron party. The BJP had had not no inkling whatsoever that the JD(S) would pull off such a stunt.
Ironically, barely a year before this, the JD(S) had joined hands with the BJP in the Legislative Council, ensuring the continuation of MLC D H Shankarmurthy as the Chairman. When the Congress had tried to dislodge the chairman and deputy chairman (both held by BJP in 2014), the JD(S) had come to BJP’s rescue with merely 12 seats. The BJP however was forced to sacrifice the deputy chairman post - a condition imposed by the JD(S). Ever since, the JD(S) has occupied the deputy chairman post.
However, a month back when the Congress tried to remove Shankarmurthy as the Chairman, Gowda had covertly extended his support to the ruling party, though his son H D Kumaraswamy was averse to the idea. Ultimately, Kumaraswamy had had the final say. Hours before the floor test (held on June 15), Kumaraswamy had confirmed that his party would continue its support to the BJP. The Congress, which had moved the no-confidence motion against Shankarmurthy, assured of JD(S)’s support, was left red faced by the end of the entire exercise.
But days after the trust vote, the JD(S) sprung a surprise again by announcing its support to the UPA candidate and former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar in the Presidential elections scheduled on July 17. Both Gowda and Kumaraswamy have endorsed Kumar’s candidature.
However, no sooner than he received the invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office asking him to participate in the midnight launch of the Goods and Services Tax, Gowda readily agreed to do so. It’s interesting to note that the same Gowda who is extending support to UPA’s presidential candidate, however disregarded the Congress’s decision not to participate in the GST launch.
Gowda was seen seated right next to Modi during the launch, which took place at 12 am on July 1. Less than 10 hours later, the veteran leader met with Kumar in Bengaluru’s international airport to discuss strategies for the upcoming presidential polls.
Later, he told the media that his party was supporting Kumar as she was an experienced candidate. He had also said that he had attended the GST launch as Modi himself had called him twice over phone and invited him for the event.
It can also be recalled that the JD(S) didn’t field candidates during the Nanjangud and Gundlupet bypolls held earlier this year in April. At that time, the JD(S), which didn’t want the BJP gain a stronghold in South Karnataka, had remained neutral, thereby giving the Congress an edge in the polls. The Congress emerged victorious in both the constituencies.
But if one were to recap to the Mysuru-Kodagu Lok Sabha elections in 2014, Gowda had foiled the Congress’s prospects by entering into a secret pact with the BJP. Gowda was keen on defeating the Congress candidate that he willingly sacrificed the prospects of his own party candidate. It’s interesting to note that the Congress candidate who was defeated that day was none other than A H Vishwanath, who is all set to join the JD(S) officially on July 4.
Gowda’s son Kumaraswamy is no better. The former chief minister who has made a habit of resigning from a seat to contest the next (even before his term has ended), has in fact the earned the reputation of being a ‘migratory bird’. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the continued flip flop by the father-son duo has even left party leaders and workers befuddled. Imagine the plight of the voter!
