Does Siddaramaiah favour Parivar merger?

Bengaluru: Did recent talks among leaders of the erstwhile Janata Dal for the unification of Janata Parivar factions have the tacit support of CM Siddaramaiah, who was once a part of the Pariwar?

The answer is 'yes', according to sources in Janata Dal (Secular). After the landslide victory of JD(U) in the Bihar Assembly polls, Parivar leaders who were in political oblivion, have been making efforts to unite all Janata Dal leaders in Karnataka to form an alternative to the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The meeting, held at the house of Mr Mahima Patel, son of former CM, Mr J.H. Patel, was attended by veteran leaders like Mr M.C. Nanaiah, Mr P.G.R. Sindhia, Mr Basavaraj Horatti and Dr M.P. Nadagouda.

Though, Janata Dal (Secular) patriarch and former Prime Minister, Mr H.D. Deve Gowda sent his party leaders for talks, he ruled out the immediate merger of JD(S) with JD(U) citing unresolved issues like the party symbol and flag.

Mr Gowda said his party would go to polls independently in both the Council and the coming ZP/TP polls indirectly hinting his strong opposition to having a tie-up with JD(U).

Observers in Janata Dal (Secular) told Deccan Chronicle that Mr Deve Gowda wants to have absolute control over the party. Presently, Mr Gowda is national president and his son, Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy the state president of Janata Dal (Secular).

In the event of a merger, the posts of state president and national president may go to other leaders which may not be to Mr Gowda’s liking.

Besides, after the merger, Mr Gowda cannot take independent decisions without discussing in the party executive committee meetings with leaders like Mr Nanaiah or Mr Sindhia. The sources said the Chief Minister, despite being in the Congress, is interested in the revival of the Parivar which helped him occupy top positions in the government including that of Deputy Chief Minister.

It is said that Mr Siddaramaiah wants to break the hegemony of the Gowda family on the party by giving his silent support to the grooming of an alternative party in the form of Janata Dal (United) in the state.

It was for this purpose that Mr Siddaramaiah made it a point to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Mr Nitish Kumar in Bihar recently.

Another Pariwar leader Dr H.C. Mahadevappa and State Planning Board Vice-Chairman C.M. Ibrahim were behind the recent meeting held in the house of Mr Patel.

“If everything goes well, the united Janata Dal (United) may take a shape at least six months to one year before the 2018 Assembly polls. The possibility of erstwhile Janata Dal leaders who are presently in other parties, joining JD(U) cannot be ruled out. In that case, the biggest enemy for JD(S) will be Janata Dal (United) and not Bharatiya Janata Party or Congress,” the sources said.