Bengaluru : In an unexpected twist, Karnataka Janata Dal (Secular) president CM Ibrahim has openly expressed his discontent with the party’s alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), causing a significant political upheaval.
In a bold and unprecedented move that challenges JD-S chief HD Deve Gowda’s authority, Ibrahim firmly stated that the party would not align itself with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), which includes the BJP. This rift within the JD(S) has intensified, with Ibrahim characterizing his faction as the “original” one due to its staunch commitment to secular principles.
Facing the media, Ibrahim asserted his leadership, declaring, “I am the state president of JD(S), and we will decide our alliances, except with the BJP. I will call on Kumaraswamy to return.” He expressed his intention to persuade former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to rejoin the party.
“We are the true JD(S),” he emphasized, underlining his faction’s claim to be the authentic embodiment of the party’s core values and principles. This statement suggests that other entities claiming to be JD(S) may not adhere as faithfully to the party’s fundamental beliefs and objectives.
This development follows JD(S)’s decision, on September 22, to form an alliance with the BJP-led NDA for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka. The announcement had been made by HD Kumaraswamy, JDS leader and former Karnataka chief minister, following meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda in the national capital.
Ibrahim’s dissent became apparent shortly after the alliance announcement when he remarked, “If you are making an alliance with the BJP, then who has accepted whom? If you have power, you don’t need to ask for anything.” He stressed that his reservations were not personal but rooted in principles, expressing his respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
The JD(S), led by former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, has traditionally been a significant third player in Karnataka’s political landscape, dominated by the Congress and the BJP. Despite the recent success of the Congress in state assembly polls, the BJP-led NDA sees the JD(S) as a valuable ally, particularly in south Karnataka, where the regional party holds substantial influence, bolstering the BJP’s historically weak presence in the region.
The future of Karnataka’s political alliances remains uncertain, as internal divisions within the JD(S) pose a challenge to the stability of the BJP-led NDA’s plans for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving political situation.
