The coalition Government of the JD(S) and the Congress in Karnataka which was always on the threat of being poached by the BJP through operation Lotus is rejoicing after the saffron defeat in the Hindi heart land. The Congress victories in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have given the coalition Government in Karnataka a shot in the arm to take on the BJP in the 2019 elections.
The Kumaraswamy Government which came into existence was a master initiative by the Congress to stitch a Mahaghatbhandan to take on the Modi – Shah Combine in the ensuing general elections sometime in 2019 and the congress victory has given more teeth to this initiative of Opposition unity with minor and local parties like that of JDs.
The JD(S)- Congress combine which notched up an emphatic victory in the recent bypolls in Karnataka and the route of saffron party in the Hindi heart land has given an aggressive political posture to take on the BJP in the run up to the general elections.
Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy who is till now riding a fragile coalition said in Belagavi that it is the clear indication of what will happen in 2019. He said on the sidelines of the winter session of the Assembly “ BJP has been trying to finish off all Opposition parties through dubious means. Now, the people have shown them the door and restored democracy in all these States.”
Former Chief Minister and chairman of the coordination committee Siddaramaiah tweeted “A wind of change is sweeping across the country. Kites of false campaign are falling down. This is not a time to boast about victory. We need to become ideologically stronger and fight till the end.”
However a senior Congress leader on the condition of anonymity said “with the resounding victory why should we piggyback on the JD(S).”
Karnataka is the only State in South India where BJP scored well in 2014 by winning 17 of the 28 seats. Now, as the Congress-JD(S) looks to regain ground, BJP may find it tough to retain its seats. The victory is also an eye opener for the BJP which is planning to get more number of seats and also planning to topple the JD(S)- Congress Government in the State through poaching which is called operation Kamala(Lotus).
A senior BJP leader said there should be an introspection at the national level and must work out a new strategy to take on both the JD(S) and the Congress. However Yeddyurappa who is in the winter session of the Assembly attacking Kumaraswamy Government with many impending issues which include farmers loan waiver, has said Modi is still a popular and tall leader in the party and said “ we lost because of the anti incumbency.” Yeddyurappa a Lingayat strongman still bets on to become Chief Minister.
Former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda who is batting for Congress president Rahul Gandhi as the next PM candidate has said in a tweet that people have made the nation arrogance free. He called the BJP’s Congress Mukt Bharat slogan as arrogance and said people have made the nation "arrogance-free" through their verdict in the Assembly elections in five States. "At least now, the BJP should put some efforts to make this nation 'problem-free' and stop the unwanted 'travel-spree', he said in another tweet.