Narayana Swamy
Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore, Mar 20 : On Monday, a group of MPs from Karnataka met top party leader Sushma Swaraj and reportedly complained about chief minister Sadananda Gowda, saying he was 'annoying' some of the BJP MLAs in the state by keeping close ties with JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda. And by evening a strong rumour started going around in Bangalore, that the father-son's party Janata Dal (Secular) has offered outside support to D V Sadananda Gowda, in case Yeddyurappa walks out by withdrawing support along with his MLAs.
March 19, 2012 : Revanna (JDS) - Eshwarappa (BJP)
Anything can happen in Karnataka. They say 'Dushman ka Dushman Dost Hota Hai' (enemy's enemy is a friend), the same might happen if Deve Gowda's political rival Yeddyurappa plays with DV Sadananda Gowda. But more importantly, it is caste politics that will come to the forefront here.
According to JD(S) sources in Bangalore, Kumaraswamy has hinted that JD(S) may support the DVS faction, not to 'play politics' but to avoid mid-term polls and save the state from political storms. If you look at the picture given here, which was clicked on Monday in Vidhana Soudha premises, it is hard to deny that something interesting is definitely cooking!
The JD(S) calculation is that in case Yeddyurappa is expelled from BJP or if he walks out, a maximum of 30 MLAs might leave along with him. Currently, JD(S) has 27 MLAs, and with support from eight Independent MLAs, DVS government can survive for another year!
Deve Gowda and Sadananda Gowda being from the same Vokkaliga community, here caste plays a key role. On Monday, there were several confrontations between swamijis of various Mutts and political leaders on the 'caste' issue in political circles.
Vokkaliga Support to DVS
In another development, state Vokkaliga associations and Mutt swamijis belonging to Vokkaliga community have came out openly in support of DVS. Two days after Balagangadara Sree's open concern regarding DVS that he is being pulled down because of his caste, now Chandrashekharnath Swamiji, world Vokkaliga unit's leader has expressed his open support to CM Gowda.
On the other hand, some of the key Vokkaliga associations have threatened to gherao the houses of Vokkaliga BJP MLAs who are camping along with Yeddyurappa in Golden Palm Resort.
Caste politics is taking an ugly shape in the state, with Lingayats and Vokkaligas openly supporting their leaders on caste basis.
When two people fight, it is the third person who benefits. Will JD(S) be the one to take the cake out of this caste conundrum? May people wish that this rumour of JD(S) supporting DVS camp remains a rumour.
But then, nothing can be ruled out, at least in Karnataka politics, political party notwithstanding.
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