Bengaluru: The dismal performance of the Janata Dal (Secular) in the December 5 byelections to 15 assembly constituencies in the state spells more trouble for the party as its fence-sitters from Tumkuru and Mysuru districts could now finally decide to leave it for greener pastures.
The Janata Dal (Secular) party not only lost its bastion of Mandya to the Bharatiya Janata Party, but also failed to win Yeshwanthpur despite strategic support of the Congress these bypolls. And now it could pay a heavy price, according to sources.
Discontent was brewing in the Janata Dal (Secular) party even before the fall of the coalition government, with former minister, G T Deve Gowda and others grumbling over portfolio allotment and interference of the Gowda family in their work.
While Mr G T Deve Gowda is already leading the rebels in Mysuru, the entire Tumkuru unit of the party has grown distant from the Gowda family after its supremo, H D Deve Gowda's defeat from the constituency in the recent Parliamentary elections. But for many party rebels the Congress has so far been a better option than the Bharatiya Janata Party as the voting pattern in their respective constituencies has favoured polarisation of votes against dominant communities.
For instance, if Congress leader, Dr G Parameshwar switches his constituency to Nelamangala, Janata Dal (Secular) fence-sitter, Sudhakar Lal will be more comfortable with that party in Koratagere. For this reason, most of these leaders did not make their move during Operation Lotus, according to party sources.
Besides, Mr Kumaraswamy tried to hold them back saying the party would get back on its feet once the byelections were held and it took on the role of kingmaker. But now that this proposition no longer holds good, nothing is likely to stop these fence-sitters in the party from leaving it at their convenience, say sources.
