JD(S) MLAs emphasised the need to strengthen the party's base beyond the Old Mysuru region and focus on Kalyana Karnataka and Kittur Karnataka. Analysts urge it to look beyond Vokkaligas.
Published Nov 29, 2024 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 29, 2024 | 12:00 PM
JD(S) leaders HD Deve Gowda and HD Kumaraswamy.
The declining vote share of the JD(S) in Karnataka has become increasingly apparent in recent electoral setbacks. The Channapatna bypoll result has served as a wake-up call for the party.
Several party MLAs and leaders have raised concerns over JDS’s diminishing influence and urged for a comprehensive review of its strategies and internal dynamics. Despite the heavy campaigning and collective efforts, the Channapatna defeat has highlighted critical weaknesses that need urgent attention.
The JD(S) MLAs stressed on the importance of expanding the party’s base beyond its traditional old Mysuru strongholds, focusing on regions like Kittur and Kalyana Karnataka to revitalise the party.
This introspective moment has also sparked calls for the party to move away from family-centric politics and prioritise strengthening its grassroots presence, ensuring a more inclusive and visionary approach moving forward.
In the 2023 Assembly elections, the regional party’s strength in the assembly declined from 37 seats to 19, and further to 18 after losing Channapatna in the bypolls held recently. It also witnessed a significant drop in its vote share, falling by 5 percent in 2023 (13.29 percent) compared to the 18.3 percent it garnered in 2018.
A year later, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the JD(S) managed to win two out of the three seats it contested in alliance with the BJP. Notably, the party lost its stronghold of Hassan to the Congress after representing the constituency for two decades.
JD(S) leaders, especially MLAs, expressed shock over the unexpected outcome despite unprecedented efforts in the Channapatna Assembly segment.
Mulbagal (SC) JD(S) MLA Samruddi Manjunath told South First: “I am shell-shocked with the bypoll results in Channapatna. We had made valiant efforts but could not manage to win the seat. All the party MLAs, MLCs, and leaders were actively campaigning for the JD(S). “I am seriously considering holding discussions with Kumaraswamy regarding the party’s strategy and approach for the future. We need to understand where we are going wrong because my life is tied to the fate of this party.”
When asked whether the Deve Gowda family should prioritise party workers over family interests, he declined to comment: “This is a time for critical introspection within the party. It applies to everyone, including Kumaraswamy and myself,” added Manjunath.
“There are evident differences within the party. The situation is worsening daily. I hope the party’s fortunes change for the better,” he said and expressed dismay over the unresolved internal differences among the party cadre.
“It is definitely a warning for the party. However, we have bounced back from worse defeats in the past. The next generation of leaders must take this as a challenge,” said Gurmitkal MLA Sharanagouda Kandakur. He believes JD(S) should work towards consolidating votes of communities that have drifted away from the party. “I firmly believe that our leaders should focus on organising and strengthening the party base in their districts. It is our responsibility,” added the Gurmitkal MLA.
The young JD(S) MLA, however, is defensive of the HD Deve Gowda family.“If we had fielded anyone other than Nikhil Kumaraswamy in Channapatna, we would have lost our deposit. The family is essential for both the party and the state. Blaming Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy for everything is not the solution — it is our collective responsibility to ensure the party’s success,” he said.
JD(S) MLAs emphasised the need to strengthen the party’s base beyond the Old Mysuru region, particularly focusing on Kalyana Karnataka and Kittur Karnataka.
In the 2023 Karnataka Assembly polls, even after contesting almost all Assembly seats in North Karnataka (Kittur and Kalyana Karnataka), the regional party managed to win only four seats; Gurmitkal, Devadurga, Devara Hipparagi and Hagaribomanahalli.
Even though the party put up a tough fight in districts like Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Raichur, Koppal, Yadgir and Dharwad, it lost deposits in most of the segments in the region.
“We need a solid strategy to strengthen the party in Kalyana Karnataka and Kittur Karnataka. The perception of JD(S) as a ‘weak’ party stems from the fact that many leaders who built their careers in JD(S) have now switched to Congress or BJP,” Kandakur said. Interestingly, even Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah shifted from JD(S) to Congress.
JD(S) MLA CN Balakrishna told South First: “The leadership should ensure no space for dissent and promote open deliberations on issues affecting the cadre and the state. It’s time to prioritise strengthening the party’s grassroots base across Karnataka.” He pointed out that JD(S) has strong presence in about 25 Assembly seats in North Karnataka.
Political commentator and Azim Premji University Professor Narayana A highlighted the causes for JD(S)’s decline, attributing it to overdependence on Vokkaliga support, alienation of Muslim voters, and a lack of visionary leadership.
“It’s been a story of continuous erosion. At present, they are heavily relying only on the Vokkaliga votes. If we look at the historical voting patterns of Vokkaligas in southern Karnataka, their loyalty has never been steadfast to any single party, including the JD(S),” he told South First.
“If JD(S) managed to secure 19 seats in the 2023 assembly elections, it was partly due to Muslim support. For instance, Kumaraswamy wouldn’t have won from Channapatna without the support of Muslims. However, the alliance with the BJP in 2024 has alienated this crucial voter base.”
Narayana pointed out, “Except for Deve Gowda, the party lacks leaders with the vision to capitalise. The current leadership is not imaginative enough to resonate with the political sentiment in Karnataka.” He believes emphasis on one family and overdependence on one community is leading to JD(S)’ decline.
“In 2024, we are witnessing a new trend where Vokkaligas are open to aligning with the BJP. Between JD(S) and BJP, they perceive the latter as better positioned to nurture a strong Vokkaliga leader” the political commentator highlighted that Vokkaliga support is gradually shifting towards the BJP.
“JD(S) should expand its social appeal beyond any single caste. The leadership must exhibit maturity by moving away from family-centric politics. Leaders from diverse social backgrounds, not just Vokkaligas or members of Deve Gowda’s family, must be promoted. Only by representing the diversity of Karnataka can JD(S) rebuild itself,” Narayana said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
