BJP, JDS workers clash in Karnataka, friction in alliance

Bangalore:

The BJP and JDS joined forces ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and recently concluded seat-sharing talks, but the situation on the ground appears challenging. Leaders and workers in both parties are used to differences but are clearly having a hard time adjusting to being on the same side. Monday’s joint meeting in Tumakuru, Karnataka, was marred by clashes among party workers.

The two sides clashed on stage at Turuvekere during an electoral meeting organized for the campaign of Alliance candidate Somanna.

The trouble started when JDS MLA MT Krishnappa pointed the finger at BJP leader Kondajji Vishwanath. He said Kondajji was responsible for his defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Mr Vishwanath, who was earlier with the JDS and later switched to the BJP, was visibly frustrated. Before he could come forward to speak, Mr. Somanna stopped him.

Most JDS workers claimed that there was some truth to the MLA’s statement.

Although the issue was later resolved, the camaraderie among party workers appears to be facing teething troubles, especially as the BJP and the People’s Democratic Party try to paper over ideological differences to ensure a tough fight against the Congress.

JDS has promised three seats – Hassan, Mandya and Kolar.

Dr Manjunath, the son-in-law of former Prime Minister HD Devegowda, is contesting from the Bharatiya Janata Party and has been fielded from Bengaluru Rural to take on Congress veteran DK Suresh, brother of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

JDS CEO HD Kumaraswamy returned to Bengaluru on Sunday after undergoing surgery in Chennai. He is yet to accept a call to contest the Lok Sabha elections.

While the BJP hopes to cash in on the JDS’s Vokkaliga support base in the old Mysore region, the latter is struggling to remain in the mainstream after a setback in the recent assembly elections.