Karnataka elections: In a coalition govt, JD(S) may not get CM’s post

BENGALURU: Unlike in 2018 when Congress was obliged to spare the chief minister post to the regional outfit despite it being a junior partner, this time neither BJP nor Congress is likely to give JD(S) the driver’s seat in the event of a fractured verdict and a coalition government.
But JD(S), which is hoping to play a pivotal role in forming the government, is determined to bargain hard for the post with HD Kumaraswamy being projected as its face.
While brass of the two national parties are putting on a brave face in public, insisting that their respective parties would get a majority, in private functionaries admit that they are likely to fall short of a majority, although by a small number.

In such a case, the biggerparties would prefer to form the government on their own with the support of a handful of independents, if any, or by inducing the required number of MLAs from rival parties to cross over, as BJP did in 2019.
“BJP will get a clear majority. We also hope there will be a handful of independents this time, and that they will support us,” said BJP state vice president Nirmal Kumar Surana.
But a large section of functionaries believes an alliance with JD(S) will be inevitable for both BJP and Congress to form the government as they anticipate the shortfall to be at least 10 seats. Even in this case, the parties are determined not to give the CM post to JD(S).
“We hope the need for an alliance does not arise. In case we form a coalition government, we will have greater control as BJP will get moreseats,” said Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, member of BJP’s election management panel.

In 2018, Congress bagged 80 seats and it aligned with JD(S) to form the government. Desperate to keep BJP out, it offered the CM’s post to the smaller party despite the regional outfit securing only 37 seats. In the process, HD Kumaraswamy became CM for the second time.
“The situation in 2018 was different. We had to compromise,” said KPCC vice-president BL Shankar. “This time things are very different. If one is formed, Congress will lead a coalition government. But that scenario is a remote possibility, as there are clearindications that we will get a majority.”
Senior Congress functionaries said their party may at most agree to the 2004 model, where JD(S) chose a Congress CM. Dharam Singh became CM in the JD(S)-Congress coalition government. However, JD(S) is hopeful of getting enough seats so that it can drive a hard bargain.

‘Exit polls flawed’
“These exit polls are wrongly projecting that JD(S) would get fewer seats,” said JD(S) state president CM Ibrahim. “We expect to win more than 50 and no party would be able to form the government without our help. A coalition government will be formed only on our terms. The bargain is that JD(S) should get the CM post and we should be free to implement all programmes we promised in our manifesto. ”