JD(S) in Karnataka has taken an assertive stance against BJP over Channapatna bypolls. What led to it? Where do alliance partners stand?
Published Oct 22, 2024 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 22, 2024 | 9:12 AM
BJP Karnataka president BY Vijayendra and JD(S) president HD Kumaraswamy during the padayatre. (X)
In an interesting turn of events, Janata Dal Secular (JD-S) in Karnataka has taken an assertive stance with its alliance partner – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – over the Channapatna Assembly seat.
As a result, on Monday, 21 October, BJP MLC CP Yogeshwar resigned from his position as a member of the legislative council. Tired of waiting for BJP and JD(S) to pick him, he is determined to contest in by-polls, even if it means he would be an independent candidate.
After submitting his resignation letter to Karnataka Legislative Council Chairperson Basavaraj Horatti, he announced his intention to contest as an independent from Channapatna in the by-poll set to take place on 13 November.
Ever since JD(S) joined the NDA, it has remained a docile partner, giving in to BJP’s whim. A couple of months ago, JD(S) was even willing to concede Channapatna seat, formerly held by HD Kumaraswamy, to BJP. Suddenly, the JD(S) has turned assertive and with good reason.
Initially, JD(S) state president and Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy had signalled a willingness to concede Channapatna, a key constituency to BJP’s CP Yogeshwar.
But shifting political dynamics have led JD(S) to assert its intent to field its own candidate. This determination stems from a desire to maintain the party’s historical stronghold and internal solidarity, as relinquishing the seat could send a demoralising message to party workers, said JD(S) leaders.
The rivalry between JD(S) and BJP intensified with both parties seeking to consolidate their influence in the old-Mysore region. Besides, JD(S)’ insistence on its own candidate for Channapatna reflects the party’s strategy to protect its territorial integrity, according to political analysts.
Meanwhile, JD(S) leaders claimed that CP Yogeshwar rejected Kumaraswamy’s offer to contest on the regional party ticket from Channapatna and instead remained firm on contesting on the BJP ticket.
The BJP had already announced its candidate for the bypoll to Shiggaon and Sandur assembly seats, where nominees are Bharat Bommai and Bangara Hanumantha, respectively. The bypolls for the three assembly seats will take place on 13 November and the results will be declared on 23 November.
After JD(S) leaders conveyed that they are willing to field Nikhil Kumaraswamy, Yogeshwar expressed his dissent on BJP state leadership by resigning from the legislative council.
Subsequently, Yogeshwar clarified that he had only resigned for the legislative council position and not from BJP’s primary membership. He also clarified that he will not be joining the Congress.
Yogeshwar told reporters in Hubballi: “Legislative council chairman Basavaraj Horatti has accepted my resignation. If we have to contest the elections, we have to resign from our position. I have decided to contest as an independent candidate. I desire to contest as NDA nominee from Channapatna. R Ashok also spoke with me about this. I appeal to be fielded as a NDA candidate considering my 19 years of service to the party.”
Yogeshwar has represented the Channapatna Assembly segment five times in the last three decades. He tasted his maiden victory as an independent candidate from the same seat in 1999.
CP Yogeshwar then contested successfully on a Congress ticket in 2004 and 2008. He won on BJP and Samajwadi Party tickets in 2011 and 2013 respectively. However, in the last two Assembly elections, he lost against JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy from the same seat on a BJP ticket.
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy had earlier indicated his readiness to concede the Channapatna seat to BJP’s Yogeshwar. But in a surprising political shift, the JD(S) is now resolute in its decision to field its own candidate instead.
Even though the seat has become a headache, there have hardly been any tensions between NDA alliance partners regarding candidate selection in the Shiggaon and Sandur (ST) constituencies.
Sources within the JD(S) claim that Kumaraswamy extended an offer to Yogeshwar to contest as the party’s candidate. However, after Yogeshwar declined the offer, the regional party is now focused on fielding Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil Kumaraswamy, despite his previous unsuccessful attempts.
On anonymity, JD(S) former MLA told South First: “Kumaraswamy was kind enough to offer a JD(S) ticket to Yogeshwar. Even JD(S) MLAs and office bearers personally met and urged Yogeshwar to contest on the party ticket. But he denied. One reason not to give up the seat to BJP is that it was represented by JD(S) in the past. We want to retain the seat and our strength in the Assembly. If our party leadership gives up its own seat, it will send a wrong message to party workers.”
When asked whether Kumaraswamy held talks with the BJP high command on the issue, he said: “BJP high command is also in favour of Kumaraswamy as the seat is held by JD(S). We have not interfered in the process of selecting candidate for the other two seats: Shiggaon and Sandur (ST).”
He added that the party is particular about not giving the Channapatna seat to BJP.
In the last two Assembly polls – held in 2018 and 2023 – former CM HD Kumaraswamy had won comfortably from the seat, with Yogeshwar emerging runner-up on both the occasions. After winning the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Mandya segment, Kumaraswamy stepped down as the Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Channapatna seat, necessitating by-polls.
Recent developments, particularly BJP’s Mysuru Padayatra over the alleged MUDA scam, has caused JD(S) to be concerned about the power equation between both parties. The padayatra was decided by the saffron party without taking its alliance partner into confidence.
Further, the inclusion of former Hassan MLA Preetam Gowda in the padayatra committee drew strong criticism. Even more so in light of the sexual assault case involving Prajwal Revanna, in which BJP leaders including Gowda have been accused of distributing a pen drive with videos before elections.
The BJP has been trying to gain dominance in Mandya by leading protests pertaining to communal tensions, despite Kumaraswamy representing the constituency, seems to have added fuel to the fire.
These weren’t received well by the JD(S) and have contributed to perceptions of weakness in the alliance. In an effort to regain its influence, the JD(S) is reportedly taking an assertive approach in selecting its candidate for the Channapatna seat.
On the assertiveness of the JD(S), a source from the party said: “We are not becoming assertive but advocating for our rightful seat. In the past, there have been several instances where we relinquished our seat to other parties, including the Nanjangud seat in the old-Mysuru region. This negatively impacted JD(S)’s prospects in the long run, leading to a complete loss of ground. We do not want the same situation to occur in our stronghold – Channapatna.”
On BJP building a base in Mandya, he said that JD(S) can’t restrict the saffron party from carrying out their activities and that Kumaraswamy is well aware of BJP’s activities in the region.
Citing the issue in Nagamangala as an instance, he said, “Kumaraswamy resolved the communal tension there. And there are no tensions between both the parties on any matter. It is common for this kind of narratives to pop-up during elections but we remain united. BJP high command has granted complete autonomy to Kumaraswamy in finalising candidate for Channapatna seat.”
He said that party workers expressed support for Nikhil and that the party will announce its candidate in a day or two.
Political analysts see the Channapatna Assembly seat as a crucial battleground within the BJP-JD(S) alliance, where both parties are struggling to assert their dominance. The tussle over selecting a candidate for the constituency has intensified this internal friction.
Analysts suggest that the JD(S) is especially assertive in this instance to avoid the appearance of surrendering control, particularly in a seat long regarded as its stronghold.
Azim Premji University Professor and political analyst Narayana A told South First: “I think it’s a rivalry within the coalition. For BJP, the objective is to establish their foothold in the old-Mysuru region. For JD(S), the goal is to retain their dominance in the area. These two objectives are conflicting, which is the main source of tension between the alliance partners.”
He noted that both parties are making efforts to strengthen their positions despite being in alliance.
When asked if the BJP is gaining an upper hand in Mandya, despite Kumaraswamy representing the constituency in Parliament, he said: “Things are happening both overtly and covertly. The BJP might be working systematically, albeit behind the scenes through their network, including the RSS and other organisations.
Narayana also pointed out that communal incidents in Mandya began even before the Assembly elections, with the introduction of fictitious characters like Urigowda and Nanjegowda.
“In terms of communal violence, I believe the BJP has been trying hard to solidify their presence, so they are insisting on fielding a candidate of their choice, while the JD(S) wants to field its own. Because of this conflict of interest, the selection of a candidate is expected to be difficult. However, it’s not likely that either party will actively work against the other’s interests.”
“If the JD(S) fields its candidate, the BJP won’t work against them, and vice versa. Eventually, they will align for the success of the NDA candidate. Even though they are in an alliance, both the BJP and JD(S) want to promote their respective party interests,” he observed, explaining that the JD(S) is assertive to maintain its foothold.
“They will make multiple calculations. Channapatna is a JD(S) stronghold, and they do not want to give it up easily. If they agree to a BJP candidate, it would appear as though the JD(S) is not just in an alliance but has completely surrendered. If such a message is conveyed to the workers, media, and public, it won’t benefit the party. They will negotiate fiercely, though it’s unclear who will win in this bargaining.”
Speaking on CP Yogeshwar’s candidacy, Narayana noted: “Yogeshwar has never been part of the JD(S). He has been an independent, a Congress member, and a BJP member. While it’s easy for the JD(S) to disown him, it’s difficult for the BJP to embrace him without upsetting their coalition partner.”
(Edited by Neena)
