In legislature, JD(S)-BJP alliance intact

BENGALURU: An alliance with Congress to grab power in BBMP notwithstanding, leaders of the state unit of BJP are keen to maintain cordial relations with their erstwhile coalition partners —Janata Dal (S) — as part of their strategy to haul the ruling party over the coals in both Houses of state legislature.

In fact, some top leaders of BJP are certain that the alliance between Congress and JD(S) would not last long and therefore it would be appropriate not to severe links with leaders of JD(S).

One of them, Mr Jagadish Shettar, leader of the Opposition in Legislative Assembly, said in the past leaders of JD(S) had reached out to his colleagues for coordination in the Assembly and Council while taking on the state government on various issues in both Houses. The principal Opposition, BJP, would continue to bank on JD(S) for support while moving a motion for ouster of Lokayukta Justice Bhaskar Rao in the light of corruption in the institution.

Mr Shettar, however, was critical about certain JD(S) legislators who played a crucial role in catalysing a pact with Congress to wrest power in BBMP.

“According to me, it was suicidal to join hands with Congress despite knowing its consequences in future,” he said adding sarcastically that some of these legislators would contest Assembly polls in 2018 on Congress tickets. Besides, the alliance had triggered unrest among a section of Congress leaders as they were concerned about how to contest the forthcoming zilla panchayat polls in districts where JD(S) has significant presence.

A JD(S) leader, however, clarified that the alliance with Congress would be restricted only to Mayoral polls and not extended to forthcoming zilla panchayat polls.

Like leaders of BJP, state JD (S) president H.D. Kumaraswamy would be keen to expose the omissions and commissions of the state government.

The leader blamed a few BJP leaders for making inappropriate statements which forced his party to strike an understanding with Congress for Mayoral polls.

These statements hurt JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda and other leaders of the party as well.

“Just because we are supporting the Congress, JD(S) will not remain quiet if the administration in BBMP goes off track. We have the liberty to attack the Congress,” the leader added.