Kerala JDS counts on Karnataka outcome

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: More than the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular), it's the Kerala unit of the party which is keeping its fingers crossed over the outcome of the assembly election results in the neighbouring state on Tuesday. The JD(S) is a constituent of the ruling LDF here and also has a minister in Pinarayi Cabinet. The Kerala party could face an embarrassing situation if the JD(S) led by H.D. Deve Gowda and his son H.D. Kumaraswamy were to support a BJP government, receive its outside support to run a minority government or become part of a coalition.

Water resources minister and JD(S) leader Mathew T. Thomas told DC that he expected Deve Gowda to stick to the party's national stand of keeping 'communal' forces out of power in Karnataka. "I expect the JD(S) leadership to take a decision in consonance with our national line. There is no question of our party supporting the communal forces," he added . Most opinion polls have suggested hung assembly in Karnataka with JD(S) set to play the role of "king maker." Political observers said given the track record of the Karnataka unit of JD(S) the party could go either way. Even though pressure is mounting on Deve Gowda to stick to the decision taken at the national executive meeting for strengthening secular forces and keeping communal forces out of power, the stand of his son would be crucial.

The TRS supremo and Telengana chief minister K. Chandrashkehara Rao and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had been in  touch with Mr Gowda to rope him into the non BJP non Congress third front that they are trying to prop up at the national level. "There is no question of aligning with the BJP in Karnataka. Gowdaji will take all steps to keep the communal forces out of power. Our agenda is to keep both BJP and Congress and form the government with the help of other parties," said JD(S) veteran Dr A. Neelalohithadasan Nadar.  

Many believe that the JD(S) could agree to support the Congress with certain conditions like keeping incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah out. Already there are reports that the JD(S) could think of supporting Congress if the latter brings a Dalit leader as chief minister.    Privately though, the JD(S) leaders say that the state unit will snap ties with Mr Gowda if the Karnataka unit decides to join hands with the BJP. It would also demand convening of the national executive to remove those from the leadership who defy the party stand.