Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 29: H D Kumaraswamy, who was in the habit of shooting barbs both at Congress leader Siddaramaiah, and chief minister, Yediyurappa, has of late been trying to own a softer approach towards the BJP. He has also not been very harsh towards the Congress, it is observed.

A few days back, Kumaraswamy had openly declared that he would not allow the BJP-led state government to fall, and thus surprised many. He also said he had the magic key with him to save the state government. Some political analysts believe that this may be a ploy to see that the JD(S) legislators who are rumoured to be planning to cross over to the BJP stay with the party and to convince central BJP ministers not to allow the mass defections from the JD(S) to happen.

There are expectations of volatile changes in the state after the bypoll. Kumaraswamy too is engaged in drawing up a plan to stabilize his position. Both Siddaramaiah and Yediyurappa are sworn enemies for Kumaraswamy but otherwise he has good rapport with other BJP leaders in the state and the centre. Therefore, Kumaraswamy may be doing calculated moves, many believe.

In the bypoll, BJP is under compulsion to win at least eight seats to retain majority in the assembly and power. If it fails to secure so many seats, it might need the support of the JD(S) to keep its government afloat. Perhaps Kumaraswamy can play his cards well under such circumstances. It is also believed that Kumaraswamy has turned softer towards the BJP as he cannot hope to have a good understanding with the Congress as long as Siddaramaiah is the leader of the opposition in the assembly and Dinesh Gundu Rao is the KPCC president.