JD(S) could provide outside support to Congress government

Bengaluru, Jul 11: Pushed to the brink by the resignation of 16 MLAs, the JD(S) has begun exploring options to save the government and prevent the BJP from assuming power. Hectic talks are on between party supremo HD Deve Gowda and son and chief minister HD Kumaraswamy to save the coalition.

Sources say the leaders are even mulling the option of Kumaraswamy quitting and the party extending outside support to the Congress on the condition that they would chose the new chief minister. This, they believe, will also allow the Congress to induct rebels into the cabinet and avert desertion. Kumaraswamy could discuss this option at a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

Though Gowda was initially keen on replacing Kumaraswamy with M Mallikarjun Kharge and take credit for the appointment of the first dalit CM in Karnataka, sources say this did not sit well with the Siddaramaiah camp, triggering more resignations including some close aides of the CLP leader. “So the party is now weighing the option of extending outside support,” a source said.

Some senior Congress leaders have backed the idea, but have told JD(S) leaders that the divorce should be finalised only after all other options are explored. It would also depend on the verdict of the Supreme Court on the petition filed by 11 rebel MLAs.

JD(S) leaders incidentally are accusing the Congress of playing dirty politics. They claim their coalition partner had been preparing to scrap the alliance soon after the Lok Sabha polls debacle. They say the party is refusing to salvage the crisis and shift blame to the BJP, which is desperate to grab power.