In a significant political development, the Janata Dal (Secular), led by former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda in Karnataka, officially joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Friday, setting the stage for a strategic alliance ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The announcement was confirmed after a pivotal meeting in Delhi, where former Karnataka Chief Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting was attended by BJP National President J.P. Nadda and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Welcoming JD(S) into NDA:
Taking to Twitter, BJP President J.P. Nadda expressed his pleasure over the development, stating, “Met Former Chief Minister Karnataka and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy in the presence of our senior leader and Home Minister Amit Shah. I am happy that JD(S) has decided to be a part of National Democratic Alliance. We wholeheartedly welcome them in the NDA.”
Strategic Alliance for Lok Sabha Elections:
As part of the alliance, the BJP has agreed to allocate four Lok Sabha seats to the JD(S), a move that is expected to strengthen the coalition significantly. Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa commented on this collaboration, saying, “This will facilitate wins in 25 to 26 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka.”
A Turnaround Decision:
The decision to join forces with the BJP marks a significant turnaround for the JD(S) and its leader, H.D. Deve Gowda. Earlier this year, in July, Deve Gowda had ruled out the possibility of an alliance with the BJP-led NDA for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. At that time, he had emphasized the party’s intention to fight the elections independently.
No Demands from JD(S):
Following the meeting with Amit Shah, HD Kumaraswamy clarified, “Today formally we discussed about joining hands with the BJP. We’ve discussed the preliminary issues formally…There is no demand (from our side).”
BJP’s Strategy for Dominance:
The BJP, as the leading party in the NDA, views this alliance as a strategic move to consolidate its position in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The JD(S) wields significant influence in southern Karnataka, traditionally a weak area for the saffron party. By aligning with the JD(S), the BJP aims to secure a dominant presence in the region.
Past Political Alignments:
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the JD(S) had formed an alliance with the Congress, but both parties suffered defeat as the BJP won 25 out of the 28 seats in Karnataka. Even an independent candidate supported by the BJP emerged victorious in the Mandya constituency.
JD(S) in Recent Elections:
The JD(S) has a history of forging alliances with both the BJP and the Congress in Karnataka. In the most recent Karnataka Assembly polls held in May, the JD(S) secured 19 seats, marking its worst-ever performance in the state’s history. Notably, the party was not invited to either the NDA meeting in Delhi or the meeting of the Opposition-INDIA bloc in Bengaluru in July. This strategic alliance between the JD(S) and the BJP is poised to reshape the political landscape in Karnataka as both parties gear up for the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
