Is JD(S) silence over rice politics a sign of political gain?

Umar Sharieef | NT

Bengaluru: As the ‘rice politics’ in Karnataka looms larger every day with Congress and the BJP facing off over it, JD(S) that mounted pressure on the Congress to deliver five promises it had made, went silent after the implementation of the Shakti scheme, a free bus travel scheme for women in the State, which according to Congress, is a big hit.

Sources in the JD(S) party reportedly refused to comment on the Congress’ allegation against the central government over the issue and signalled to keep mum. Asked whether the party would support Congress in getting rice to deliver to the poor in the State, the sources refused to comment.

Interestingly, the party’s president HD Kumaraswamy had objected to the toll hike between Bengaluru-Mysuru last week and alleged that it was daylight robbery, marking his agitation against the National Highways Authority of India, which functions under the direct control of the central government. However, in the Congress’ fight against rice politics, neither the JD(S) president nor its leaders said anything against the central government.

Sign of political gain?

Political observers felt that Kumaraswamy’s voice against the toll hike was nothing but eyewash. “He could have taken the issue to the extreme level, but didn’t”, opined a few political observers. Muzafar Assadi, a senior political analyst, told News Trail that the silence of JD(S) over rice politics is a sign of political gain.

“The silence can be because the JD(S) may want to join hands with the BJP for the 2024 elections and might try to form a third front with YSR, BJD and a few more”, he said. Interestingly, JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda’s meeting with BJP MP Tejasvi Surya recently further doubts the other politicians and analysts that the former PM might lean towards the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha election. Political analysts add that the JD(S) silence might help the party