Don’t write off the JD(S) in a hurry!

As the Assembly polls approach, there is one party which political analysts are keenly watching and that is none other than HD Deve Gowda’s Janata Dal(S). The remnant of the once dominant Janata parivar is now only a shadow of what it was in the 1990s but interestingly, an analysis of Karnataka politics is never complete without probing what the JD(S) is upto.

This is all the more pertinent in the current scenario with neither the opposition Congress nor the ruling BJP looking like they will secure a clear majority in the 224- member Assembly. The Congress seems more optimistic than the BJP of securing a majority but what appears increasingly clear to political analysts is the fact that there is no distinct wave in favour of the party in any part of the state.

Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra did arouse a lot of interest as it passed through the southern reaches of the state a few weeks ago and even drew enthusiastic crowds but will it convert into votes when polling day nears? Political allegiances do not change so fast unless of course there are drastic reasons to do it. Nothing of that kind appears in sight now.

That however does not means the saffronists are going to have a comfortable run in the polls for their prospects have never looked as dim as they do now. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has hardly fitted into the shoes of his predecessor, BS Yediyurappa and has not been able to carve a niche of his own in the minds of voters as a leader who commands awe and admiration with his oratory or development programmes.

The abysmal failure to tackle the rain damage in the capital city and the charges of colossal corruption hurled at his government have done a lot of damage to the ruling party’s image and it remain to be seen if they will cross the one hundred-seat mark in the polls That leaves the third force in state politics-the JD(S) at a huge advantage.

All that HD Kumaraswamy has to ensure is the victory of his party in 30 odd seats which is sure to add to his bargaining power vis-a-vis the Congress and BJP. Though the former CM claims his party may win 85- 90 seats, that looks pretty difficult considering that many of its top leaders have deserted its fold for greener pastures while some are set to jump ship.

But 30 seats is all the JD(S) needs to extract its pound of flesh and ensure that both national parties reach its doors seeking support. The ageing Deve Gowda will have to deploy himself for the campaign, despite his health issues to win over the Vokkaligas once more, particularly in the Old Mysore region so that the JD(S) remains a potent force in state politics.

In the current situation, the JD(S) will have to fight it out with the Congress for the honours in south Karnataka with the BJP yet to sink deep roots in the region. A fractured verdict is the last thing people of the state want but that possibility is looming large and the party which is sure to make the best of it is the JD(S) once again.

Surprisingly, Karnataka is the only state in the south where a clear verdict seems to be elusive for some strange reason. Maybe it’s time, people voted for political stability and delivered a clear mandate so that they can look forward to an unhindered phase of development and change in the coming years.