Crisis continues to deepen in JD(S)

Dec 13:  The crisis continues with the Janta Dal Secular (JD-S) as 14 well-known leaders under the guidance of former minister M.P. Prakash quit the party on Wednesday, citing the lack of internal democracy in the leadership of former Prime Minster and JD (S) Chief Deve Gowda and his son Kumaraswamy.

After a two hour long meeting in which the rebel leaders including ten former members of state assembly and two members of legislative assembly criticised the unilateral steps taken by JD (S) chief in the recent crisis in Karnataka politics and decided to withdraw themselves from the party.

In fact the leaders were very much critical about the Nov 19 decision of the party to vote against the eight-day Bharatiya Janata Party BJP-JD(S) coalition government led by B.S. Yeddyurappa.

The resolution passed in the meeting said: “The recent political developments in the state have made all of us hang our heads in shame. We have decided to severe our relationship with the party in pain, as there is no internal democracy and decisions were taken unilaterally by one leader.''

Addressing a press conference M.P. Prakash said that they would send their resignation and a copy of the resolution to the JD (S) chief. He also ruled out any possibility of forming new regional party instead they would go for any of the national party as the group is receiving offers from BJP, Congress, BSP and Janata Dal United (JD-U).

This new development is a severe blow to JD (S) ahead of the mid-term polls for the state assembly in 2008 and also a concern as the members of the rebel group belongs to the majority Veerashaiva community.

Karnataka Political Crisis

As per the condition of BJP-JD (S) coalition JDS who had completed its 20-month term on Oct 03 had to transfer the power to BJP but the JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy started bargaining for revenue and urban development ministries which were supposed to go for BJP as two of the key portfolios. In this wake of demands JD (S) accused tourism minister Sriramulu for his alleged remarks against chief minister Kumaraswamy and that helped JDS to bring BJP down.

BJP also refused the offer of Deve Gowda to keep Kumaraswamy as chief minister for the next twenty months and in return JDS is ready to join NDA alliance. But senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha made it clear that there is no point of compromise with JD (S).

Both BJP and JD (S) kept playing their cards close to their hearts and on October 02 BJP legislature preferred to handover their resignation as no power sharing deal thumped on the right spot.

However, after BJP’s support withdrawn the opposition party Congress had also asked Governor Rameshwar Thakur to dismiss Kumaraswamy’s government as it reduced to minority. After this Kumaraswamy submitted his resignation with the direction of Governor to dissolve the house.

But after a fortnight long talk JD(S) gave a letter with unconditional support to BJP making Yeddyurappa as chief minister. But the Governor was not convince with the manner political parties took U-turn and hence recommended President’s Rule in the state.

From here onwards the internal political crisis began as most of the JD (S) MLAs insisted for a possible alliance either with BJP and Congress as they were afraid of the people’s reaction after the denial of power transfer by their party. As Congress was not interested to come along with Kumaraswamy, it was obvious for JD (S) to find out something with BJP to save their face.

They later agreed to form the government and handed over letter of support signed by all MLAs who supported the formation of the government. This time too M.P. Prakash faction of JD(S) urged Governor not to allow the formation of the government. BJP also sat on dharna to put pressure on governor.

Later on November 08, Governor invited BJP-JD(S) coalition to form the government after receiving Union Cabinet’s decision to revoke President’s rule in the state. Yeddyurappa took oath on November 12 but weeks after being the first BJP chief minister in the state the JD(S) again decided to vote against BJP in the Nov 19 floor test.

Following Kumaraswamy’s step against BJP, the Governor with Parliament approval dissolved the assembly and President’s rule was again brought into the forum. Now all parties are on the forefront of the assembly election i.e. set to be taken place somewhere near April, 2008 as per Election Commission directive.