Narayana Swamy
Political Analyst - Daijiworld Media Network
Bangalore, Jul 17 : While BJP's newly-elected CM, deputy CMs and ministers are busy with celebrations and thanksgiving meetings, former Karnataka CM and state JD(S) chief H D Kumaraswamy has already started playing his political 'game' with an eye on the upcoming state elections which are due next year.
Though nothing definite has come to light, the 'hide and seek' games of HDK are on. As a first step in doing the homework for the next election, he, with the help of state Muslim BJP leader Zameer, masterminded the mega 'JD(S) Muslim convention' which attracted over 2 lac people statewide.
And now, Kumaraswamy is in no mood to waste time when it comes to taking advantage of BJP's internal conflict which erupted ever since the new ministry took oath under the leadership of Jagadish Shettar. At least 18-20 BJP MLAs who are tagged as 'unhappy' with the current government for not considering them in the ministry, are reportedly in touch with HDK planning their next move.
Belur Gopalkrishna, who was first to show his dissent after being denied ministerial berth in the Shettar government, met HDK on Monday at the latter's residence and held a closed-door meeting for more than 35 minutes. Though, later Belur clarified that it was just a 'courtesy' visit to HDK, the meeting created ripples in the political circles.
"HDK is a former CM of our state, what's wrong in meeting him? It's just a courtesy call, there's no question of me leaving BJP and joining JD(S). We did not discuss any political issue," he told reporters later.
According to reports from political analysts, Belur's meeting with HDK has a lot of political significance, as HDK has already started his preparations for the next elections. He first offered Halady Srinivas Shetty a place in the JD(S) to strengthen the party in coastal cities. He personally called Shetty, and made even Deve Gowda speak to him.
Secondly, HDK personally invited B Nagaraj Shetty, who resigned as coastal development authority chairman on not getting representation for DK MLAs in the Shettar ministry. Final touches are reportedly being given to Nagaraj Shetty's hop to JD(S).
HDK also contacted another 'unhappy' MLA from DK, Sullia MLA Angara. But Angara had taken one week's time to decide about his future in BJP.
HDK is very serious in strengthening JD(S) presence in the coastal belt after the outrage from Vokkaliga community for removing D V Sadananda Gowda from the CM post.
Belur might have met HDK to seek ticket from JD(S) to contest the next assembly election, and reportedly HDK has agreed to the same.
Father - Son Plan :
Speaking to reporters, H D Deve Gowda confirmed that BJP's 'unhappy' MLAs are in regular touch with his son. "No one is in touch with me, but yes, they are in touch with Kumaraswamy. Nothing wrong in that. Now when they are in trouble, we will try to help them out. It is politics, anything can happen here," he said.
Also, as next the plan of action, JD(S) is planning to host mega JD(S) SC, JD(S) ST, and JD(S) women conventions, just like 'JD(S) Muslim convention they recently held.
The Calculation :
HDK's current calculation is to pull down BJP government with the help of those 'Unhappy' MLAs and then go for elections within this year. He is aware that Sriramulu-backed three MLAs will not attend or support the current government in the upcoming asembly session, where an important financial bill is to be passed. If Halady resigns, then the 121-member strength of BJP MLAs will come down to 117. If HDK manages with other 20 'unhappy' MLAs, then it will be a testing time for Shettar.
Anything can happen, there are no permanent friends and enemies in politics !