Despite holding its flock together, the Janata Dal (Secular) is weaving a counter-strategy to protect the coalition government by wooing some disgruntled Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators in case of exigencies. According to JD(S) secretary general Kunwar Danish Ali, a counter-strategy of the Congress-JD(S) combine is in place to abort any move of the BJP to destabilise the government.

Speaking to The Hindu, he said that after its previous attempts to destabilise the coalition government failed, the BJP was apparently making a last-ditch effort but would surely fail this time also. “The JD(S) as such has no separate counter-strategy to protect the coalition government in case of exigencies. Leaders of both parties have prepared a joint strategy to challenge and counter any misadventure from the BJP,” he said.

On BJP legislators camping at the national capital, he said that it was the saffron party that appeared more worried and was trying to keep its flock together. “Our legislators are freely working in their constituencies, and we are not worried that our MLAs will switch loyalties.”

Meanwhile, dismissing as “media creation” speculation of the imposition of President’s rule in the State, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said in Mysuru that he was aware of attempts by the BJP to destabilise the government and of the kind of offers made to some legislators. “We are not keeping quiet. Our leaders are also busy weaving a strategy to counter the BJP’s moves,” he said.

Another senior leader of the party said that the BJP was leaving no stone unturned in trying to bring down coalition government before the Election Commission notified the Lok Sabha elections. “We are closely following the developments and are in contact with a few BJP legislators who have great respect for Kumaraswamy. Knowing this, the BJP won’t make any move,” he said.

However, he refused to divulge the names of these BJP legislators. “If the situation warrants, we will disclose their identities,” he said.