Bengaluru: Although the JD(S) has emerged as the third largest single party in the state with 38 seats as per the election mandate, announced by the election commission today, the party seems to be in the race to form the government with support from the Congress government. The Congress has secured 78 seats while BJP got 104.
Interestingly, it was CM Siddaramaiah who had alleged that the BJP and JD(S) were in a secret pact in the state to defeat the Congress. He had even made light of statements that the JD(S) would emerge as the kingmaker in the elections. “JD(S) leaders are daydreaming,” a confident Siddramaiah had said then. However, in turn of events it was CM Siddaramaiah who was made to bite the dust.
Speaking to presspersons, KPCC president Dr Parameshwara said that the party is willing to extend unconditional support to JD(S) to form the government. Reportedly, the offer has been accepted by both Devegowda and HD Kumaraswamy.
Prior to the elections, both Siddaramaiah and Kumaraswamy had exuded confidence about their respective parties wining the elections with a majority. On the Kingmaker remarks, Kumaraswamy had claimed that he will become the king as he was confident of winning the elections on a stand alone basis. While his prediction is likely to turn true the party failed to secure a majority in the state.
Meanwhile whatever permutation and combinations take place it will be Governor Vajubhai Vala who will take a final call. It is yet to be known if Governor Vala will invite BJP to form the government (since it has emerged as single largest party in state) or it will call the Congress-JD(S) combine to form the government. While the latter seems to be unlikely the possibilty cannot be ruled out considering the fact that in 2017 Manipur Governor Najma Heptullah had invited the BJP to form the government in the state despite the Congress emerging as the single largest party in Manipur elections. Similar scenes followed in Goa as well. On one hand, while JD(S) house is bustling with activity eyes are now also set on Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala, who happens to be former Gujarat leader who had once vacated his seat for PM Modi and went on to serve as Finance Minister in the then Modi’s state cabinet. One would have to wait and watch if Vala opts to follow tradition or the trend started by the BJP in Manipur and Goa.
