Congress, JD(S) make BJP swallow its Goa-Manipur formula in Karnataka
Bengaluru, May 15 (IBNS): In a day of dramatic change of political fortunes in Karnataka, the Congress has roped in the Janata Dal (Secular) to form an alliance government in the state after the prospects of the BJP suddenly nosedived in the later stage of the counting, even as it seemed that the saffron was heading for a clean sweep.
To keep the saffron brigade out of power in the southern state, the Congress adopted a strategy which was followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Goa and Manipur in 2017.
At 11 am on Tuesday, celebrations were taking place at the BJP headquarters as the party was all set to uproot the Siddaramaiah government to install its own in Karnataka.
But much like a T20 match, the political game turned around with the BJP’s figure, which now reads at 105, slipping below the majority mark (113) within an hour or so.
The distribution of sweets by the BJP leaders- Nirmala Sitharaman and Ravi Shankar Prasad- were substituted by an utter disappointment with the alteration of political arithmetic in the Karnataka assembly poll.
The Congress, who was decimated by the Narendra Modi wave in the state polls, quickly got in touch with former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda’s JD(S), which is now leading in 38 seats.
The Congress, which is presently leading in 78 seats, did not delay in establishing connection with the JD(S) to discuss over the possible coalition government.
Congress chairperson Sonia Gandhi contacted the JD(S) leaders and offered Gowda’s son Kumaraswamy the Chief Ministerial post while the latter promptly accepted it.
The Congress’ effort suddenly reminded how the BJP, which emerged as the second in both Goa and Manipur state polls last year, managed to escalate to power by forging a post-poll alliance with other regional parties.
Despite BJP’s win in 100 odd seats in a 224-member Karnataka assembly, Congress smelt power by throwing the hat on Gowda’s son Kumaraswamy.
Facing an awkward situation, the BJP has accused the Congress of altering the people’s mandate.
BJP’s Chief Ministerial candidate B.S. Yeddyurappa slammed the Congress saying, “Congress is flatly rejected by people of Karnataka who have voted for change. However Congress is trying to subvert the mandate through dubious means. People of Karnataka won't allow for this to happen. Will consult with central leaders on the next course of action."
Even before the understanding between the Congress and regional party Janata Dal (Secular) took place, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who is also a strong proponent of a collective opposition, declared that not stitching a pre-poll alliance with the JD(S) was a mistake by the Congress.
In a tweet, Banerjee said: “Congratulations to the winners of the Karnataka elections. For those who lost, fight back. If Congress had gone into an alliance with the JD(S), the result would have been different. Very different”
Congratulations to the winners of the Karnataka elections. For those who lost, fight back. If Congress had gone into an alliance with the JD(S), the result would have been different. Very different
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 15, 2018
The polls in two seats, which didn’t go to polls on May 12, are yet to be held.
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