<p>Bengaluru: Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy’S statement on BJP-JD(S) alliance would dislodge ruling Congress from power comes at a time when the regional outfit is struggling to keep its flock together. He had alleged that Congress was trying to poach JD(S) lawmakers.</p>.<p>“Congress leaders are spreading rumours that Kumaraswamy is unwell, and are trying to poach our MLAs. But you need not worry, I’m perfectly healthy. I will be with you all for another 15–20 years. The Janata Dal (Secular) will continue to exist. Our party is strong. You’ve given a clear answer through this gathering to those who ask you to leave JD(S),” he had said.</p>.<p>He had told the party workers not to worry about any false propaganda regarding the JD(S)-BJP alliance. “This time, a JD(S)-BJP alliance government will come to power. There is no confusion in this alliance. Winning seats is my responsibility.” </p>.‘JD(S) will survive even after my time, no one can finish it’: H D Deve Gowda.<p>After being reduced to 19 seats in the 2023 Assembly polls, the JD(S) has been facing an existential crisis. Despite Kumaraswamy’s elevation as a Union minister in the Modi Cabinet, uncertainty has prevailed over its future, especially after the Channapatna bypoll defeat to the Congress. </p>.<p>The aggressive poaching attempts by Congress coincides with this. Recently, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar openly asked JD(S) leaders to join Congress.</p>.<p><strong>Cong hits back</strong></p>.<p>Kumaraswamy’s statements elicited a sharp response from the ruling Congress on Monday. Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy, a former JD(S) leader and a friend-turned-foe of Kumaraswamy, lambasted the latter. </p>.<p>“In 2018, Kumaraswamy said he would dissolve JD(S) if the party could not come to power on its own. He repeated that statement in 2023. Do you think the people are ready to give JD(S) power ahead of Congress and BJP?”</p>.<p>Recalling the 1994 polls, the second and the last instance when a non-Congress government came to power in Karnataka with a full majority, the minister said: “Janata Dal got 113 (115) seats when Ramakrishna Hegde, H D Deve Gowda, J H Patel and S R Bommai were there. After that, have they ever been the single largest party in the state?? When they haven’t been able to achieve that, is it right to blame others?”</p>.<p>Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao also lashed out at Kumaraswamy, saying: “If this government has to be removed, the people should decide it, and not Kumaraswamy. He is in the ICU and is taking oxygen from the BJP. Let him speak heroically after coming on his own strength.”</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy’S statement on BJP-JD(S) alliance would dislodge ruling Congress from power comes at a time when the regional outfit is struggling to keep its flock together. He had alleged that Congress was trying to poach JD(S) lawmakers.</p>.<p>“Congress leaders are spreading rumours that Kumaraswamy is unwell, and are trying to poach our MLAs. But you need not worry, I’m perfectly healthy. I will be with you all for another 15–20 years. The Janata Dal (Secular) will continue to exist. Our party is strong. You’ve given a clear answer through this gathering to those who ask you to leave JD(S),” he had said.</p>.<p>He had told the party workers not to worry about any false propaganda regarding the JD(S)-BJP alliance. “This time, a JD(S)-BJP alliance government will come to power. There is no confusion in this alliance. Winning seats is my responsibility.” </p>.‘JD(S) will survive even after my time, no one can finish it’: H D Deve Gowda.<p>After being reduced to 19 seats in the 2023 Assembly polls, the JD(S) has been facing an existential crisis. Despite Kumaraswamy’s elevation as a Union minister in the Modi Cabinet, uncertainty has prevailed over its future, especially after the Channapatna bypoll defeat to the Congress. </p>.<p>The aggressive poaching attempts by Congress coincides with this. Recently, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar openly asked JD(S) leaders to join Congress.</p>.<p><strong>Cong hits back</strong></p>.<p>Kumaraswamy’s statements elicited a sharp response from the ruling Congress on Monday. Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy, a former JD(S) leader and a friend-turned-foe of Kumaraswamy, lambasted the latter. </p>.<p>“In 2018, Kumaraswamy said he would dissolve JD(S) if the party could not come to power on its own. He repeated that statement in 2023. Do you think the people are ready to give JD(S) power ahead of Congress and BJP?”</p>.<p>Recalling the 1994 polls, the second and the last instance when a non-Congress government came to power in Karnataka with a full majority, the minister said: “Janata Dal got 113 (115) seats when Ramakrishna Hegde, H D Deve Gowda, J H Patel and S R Bommai were there. After that, have they ever been the single largest party in the state?? When they haven’t been able to achieve that, is it right to blame others?”</p>.<p>Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao also lashed out at Kumaraswamy, saying: “If this government has to be removed, the people should decide it, and not Kumaraswamy. He is in the ICU and is taking oxygen from the BJP. Let him speak heroically after coming on his own strength.”</p>
