As the countdown to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka intensifies, leaders of the Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S) have levelled accusations against their counterparts in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s Karnataka unit. They claim that the BJP is sidelining and neglecting them in crucial discussions and meetings related to election preparations across most constituencies in the state.
The JD(S) is in a coalition with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Karnataka for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Under this alliance, the BJP plans to contest in 25 Lok Sabha seats, while the JD(S) has been allocated three seats namely, Hassan, Mandya, and Kolar.
With political activities gaining momentum across Karnataka, leaders of the JD(S) have expressed their dissatisfaction to their party leadership regarding the treatment they have received from their coalition partners during recent core committee meetings. They allege that the BJP has not included their party's MLAs in the invitations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent rallies in Shivamogga and Kalaburagi.
On the other hand, BJP leaders have denied these allegations and remain optimistic that any existing discord between coalition parties will be effectively resolved before the elections.
Karnataka will witness polling in two phases – the first phase for South Karnataka constituencies on April 26 and the second phase for North Karnataka on May 7.
During a recent state-level core committee meeting of the JD(S), various MLAs, including Karemma G Nayak from Devadurga, and Sharangouda Kandakur from Gurumitkal, expressed their frustration to the party leadership regarding the behaviour of their coalition partner.
Reports of friction between BJP and JD(S) leaders have surfaced from different regions of the state, including Kalyana Karnataka, Kittur Karnataka, and central Karnataka, as alleged by leaders and workers of the regional party.
Karemma Nayak, acknowledging the strained relations with the alliance partner, stated to South First, “it is true that local BJP leaders rarely involve JD(S) leaders in meetings or events related to the Lok Sabha elections. We raised this disparity with our party’s Karnataka unit chief HD Kumaraswamy in the core committee meeting.”
She further mentioned, “in response, JD(S) supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda emphasised the need for all MLAs and party workers to ensure the victory of the BJP candidates.”
Regarding the BJP ticket declaration for Raichur (ST) and nominee Raja Amareshwara Nayak, MLA Nayak noted that she received minimal contact from him seeking JD(S) support. "I have assured him of our full support. However, we don’t enjoy cordial relationships with the BJP leaders in Devadurga. Hence, we will be staying away from the local saffron party leaders," she affirmed.
As tensions rise within the JD(S) over perceived sidelining by BJP's Karnataka unit, leaders and party workers from the NDA alliance partners are set to conduct meetings across the state to address these concerns. Sources suggest that separate election committees will likely be formed in all constituencies, involving participation from both party workers, to achieve coordination.
The alliance party workers' meeting is scheduled for March 29, while JD(S) leaders from Kalaburagi, Yadgir, and Raichur have indicated that they will decide on extending support to BJP only after the outcomes of this meeting are known.