Karnataka: 27 legislators raise red flag, put JD(S) on notice before bypolls

Bengaluru, Oct 21: As many as 27 JD(S) legislators, including 11 council members, have put the party on notice, unmasking their deep differences with the first family.

Sources said the strained ties between the legislators and the party's top leadership - former PM HD Deve Gowda, former CM HD Kumaraswamy and former minister HD Revanna - seem to be beyond repair. After unhappy legislators met a week ago, Deve Gowda reportedly tried to broker peace but none expressed desire to show up at that meeting.

The development comes weeks before the December 5 Karnataka by-elections. Sources said the disgruntled legislators are likely to hold a meeting in Mangaluru in the first week of November to discuss the next step. The party put up a brave front and said it will take steps to contain the rebellion.

A senior party legislator said, "When it was in power in alliance with the Congress, the JD(S) didn't take seniors or other leaders seriously even in matters like allocating funds for our constituencies. Should we stand with them when they do not want us?"

JD(S) leaders could move to Congress

A party source said unhappy legislators have grouped into three units: MLAs led by Gubbi MLA SR Srinivas; MLCs with Basavaraj Horatti; and former MLAs under former Nagamangala MLA Suresh Babu. That JD(S) is beset with rebellion is well known with its Mysuru strongman GT Deve Gowda moving closer to BJP and Sa Ra Mahesh submitting resignation to the assembly speaker’s office.

On October 11, a meeting of disgruntled MLCs was held under the leadership of Horatti. An MLC privy to the meeting said only BM Farooq, SL Bhoje Gowda and brother SL Dharme Gowda kept away. “All others attended the meeting,” he added.

The party’s Vokkaliga legislators are looking at the Congress as an option if the party fails to address the issues. Sources said some JD(S) legislators are in touch with opposition leader Siddaramaiah as they believe a switch to the Congress could boost their career.

JD(S) state president HK Kumaraswamy said he will be in the party’s head office throughout the week to prepare the ground for bypolls and resolve differences, if any, among the state leaders. “We will make amends, if required,” he added.