Rapprochement possible in JD(S) if rebels are sincere to Kumaranna: Bandeppa

Ever since he joined the Janata Dal (Secular) after quitting the Congress, and got elected as MLA from Bidar City in 2004, Bandeppa Kashempur’s political graph has seen an upward spiral. He is now one of the close confidants of JD(S) state president H.D. Kumaraswamy and won the confidence of the Gowda family with his unswerving loyalty and affable nature.

Though he was defeated in the 2013 Assembly election, Kashepur continues to retain his clout in the party and is one of the important leaders in the Hyderabad Karnataka region where JD(S) is trying to gain ground.

With most leaders considered close to Kumaraswamy such as Cheluvaraya Swamy, Zameer Ahmed and H.C. Balakrishna now suspended from the party, Kashempur is perhaps one of the few close to ‘Kumaranna” now left in JD(S).

It was therefore not surprising that party supremo Deve Gowda visited the residence of this upcoming Kuruba leader on June 15 to wish him on his birthday and maybe anoint him as the next state president to take on another prominent Kuruba leader- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. In an interview, Kashempur shares his thoughts on recent developments in the party.

What are your views on the developments in the JD(S) during elections to the Legislative Council and Rajya Sabha?
For those outside the party, these developments have created the impression that the JD(S) has been further weakened. But for us, it is not shocking. The differences between Kumaranna and Zameer Ahmed have been there for some time. As these leaders were quite close to Kumaranna, we hoped the differences would eventually be resolved. Kumaranna evem met them at the residence of Mandya MP C.S. Puttaraju. But the talks did not bear fruit.I can’t understand why we should fight? Is JD(S) our personal property? This is a forum for us to grow in politics and serve society. If we all had a singular objective of taking the party to 130-140 from the present 40 seats in the coming Assembly election, these differences would not have surfaced. If we had conducted ourselves like members of one family, things would not have reached this stage.

The single family dominance is blamed for the current problems.
Why should we talk about the Gowda family? There may have been some differences among family members, but they will be set them right. Blood is thicker than water. In the past, when Kumaranna had walked out of the family and formed a coalition government with BJP, did Revanna not join him later? Even Deve Gowda condoned his mistake.

Are the rebels trying to drive a wedge between Deve Gowda–Revanna and Kumaraswamy?
They are trying to blow the so called differences in the Gowda family out of proportion. Let them narrate ten incidents to prove that there is no coordination in the Gowda family. Revanna has never been a stumbling block for Kumaranna, his entire focus has been on Hassan district. There is a total unanimity in the family that Kumaranna should be the next chief minister. It is also wrong to infer that Revanna’s relations with Siddaramaiah is a reason. Revanna was even closer to B.S. Yeddyurappa when the latter was CM and Yeddyurappa and Kumaranna were bitter rivals.

These rebel leaders were the eyes and ears of Kumaraswamy. How can the party withstand the shock administered by them?
Both Appaji as well as Kumaranna are upset over the developments. They are pained that these leaders in whom they had reposed immense faith, have betrayed them. If they are really committed to the party, they should come back to Appaji and ask him to condone their mistakes, like a son does before his parents.

You think rapprochement is possible now?
It’s possible, if these people are sincere on making Kumaranna the next CM. In the last eight years, no CM has been able to beat the charisma of Kumaranna. People have not forgotten the contributions he made as CM. Like Kejriwal in Delhi, Kumaranna can emerge victorious here.

Do you think these leaders have worked according to a gameplan of Congress leaders including Siddaramaiah?
Very true. Siddaramaiah is dreaming of becoming CM for a second term, by breaking JD(S). He should have refrained from doing it because it was JD(S) which saved his honour in BBMP. It’s only with the help of secular regional parties like JD(S) that the Congress can think of forming a government at the Centre. The Congress will pay the price for weakening a secular party like JD(S).