JD(S) drives hard Lok Sabha bargain, Congress turns to N Chandrababu Naidu for help

BENGALURU: With the Janata Dal (Secular) driving a hard bargain for Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, an alarmed Congress has entrusted the troika of N Chandrababu Naidu (TDP), Sharad Pawar (NCP) and Farooq Abdullah (National Conference) with the responsibility of clearing all hurdles to the formation of a national alliance.

While Naidu has taken the lead to talk to the parties, people privy to the developments said the three leaders will convene a crucial meeting by mid-January to discuss a road map for the alliance.

“The regional parties are well within their rights to demand the number of seats they think they deserve. The issue will be addressed before a road map is drawn for the Lok Sabha polls with potential alliance partners,” said Telugu Desam Party spokesperson Kambampati Rammohan Rao.

As per an agreement struck by the Congress and JD(S) before they formed the coalition government in Karnataka, the two parties were to share all posts in a 2:1 ratio. Extending the formula to the LS polls would have left the JD(S) with 10 of the state’s 28 seats. However, JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda recently made it clear that his party wants to contest 12 seats and is even ready for a “friendly fight” with its ally if the demand is not met.

“It is important we retain our identity and potential as a regional party in any national alliance,” Gowda told TOI. “It is all about give and take and I hope the Congress understands this.”

Gowda said he expects the issue to be resolved at a meeting after the Parliament session concludes on January 8.

To the discomfiture of the Congress, the JD(S) is eyeing seats that the national party holds. Gowda wants to field a family member from Chikkaballupura, now represented by Congress veteran M Veerappa Moily. Tumakuru is another seat held by the Congress that the JD(S) wants to contest. “Any party is expected to be reasonable in its demands. The Congress high command will take a final call,” Moily said.

While the Congress is making efforts to mollify Gowda, it has as a bargain offered the JD(S) LS seats in other states including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala.

The Congress is also banking on DMK chief MK Stalin to get the JD(S) to come around. According to DMK leaders, Stalin has already had several rounds of talks with the JD(S).