The general elections, voting for which was held in two phases in Karnataka on April 18 and 23, are expected to have a telling effect on the State politics, particularly among the coalition partners — the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular).
While the last word on this subject will be known only after the results of the Lok Sabha elections are announced on May 23, it is evident that the foresight and planning for the elections, which resulted in the Congress and the JD(S) forming a coalition government in the State about a year ago, are not expected to bear fruits given the nature of the infighting between the grass-roots level workers of both the parties.
In several regions, Congress workers reportedly indulged in canvassing against JD(S) candidates much to the chagrin of leaders of the latter and it was vice-versa in the constituencies where the Congress had fielded candidates and the JD(S) had a considerable clout in such places.
It is another matter that senior leaders of the Congress and the JD(S) put up a spirited joint campaign in several constituencies, particularly the manner in which the former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda canvassed for votes in some of the regions of the State to exhibit to party workers and voters that they are all together.
However, it was the animosity, built up over a period of time, among a section of senior leaders of the two parties that has been identified as the causative factor for the infighting among the grass-roots level workers.
While it is a case of deep differences in certain sections of the Congress and the JD(S), the BJP has had several shortcomings which could impact its performance, particularly the manner in which the central unit of the party has taken charge of even some minor issues at the State level. It is common knowledge that the State leaders of the BJP had very little scope in the selection of candidates and a pointer to this is the manner in which the candidate for Bengaluru South seat was selected much against the popular demand for Tejaswini Ananth Kumar, wife of the late Ananth Kumar who was instrumental in the BJP shining in Karnataka.
Added to this are the very many groups within the BJP who do not see eye to eye. There are those who are in favour of State BJP president and former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and there are also those who are against him although these differences were not much visible in the party’s campaign during the general elections. They will, however, come to the fore should the BJP shape much better than the Congress–JD(S) combine.
Contrary to the stance of the top BJP leadership, perpetuating dynastic dominance in politics is a common thread that runs in all the three main political parties in Karnataka.
The JD(S) has, however, chosen to defend it by saying that the next generation candidates (the children of the top leaders of the party) are contesting in elections on their own merit. It is now to be seen whether the electorate here agree to such statements or will reject those candidates—the kith and kin of senior leaders in the Congress, the JD(S) and the BJP whether it be in the elections to the Lok Sabha or the State Assembly.
(The writer is Senior Fellow, The Hindu Centre for Politics and Public Policy)