JD(S) workers raise pro-Modi slogans, refuse to work with Congress
What's the story
Apart from dashing electoral hopes of BJP in polls in Karnataka, senior leaders of JD(S) have another task at hand- galvanizing cadres to work with Congress, their coalition partner.
On Friday, upset JD(S) cadres shouted pro-Modi slogans at a meeting, which was called by minister GT Devegowda, reports News18.
While Devegowda tried hard to persuade them, it seems cadres haven't outgrown the traditional rivalry.
Coalition
After Karnataka elections, Congress and JD(S) stitched an alliance
Congress and JD(S) forged a post-poll alliance after Karnataka elections when neither got a complete majority.
JD(S), which was regarded as the "kingmaker" before polls, lived upto that tag and HD Kumaraswamy became the CM.
But in the last couple of months, the coalition ran into troubles and BJP also allegedly tried to poach MLAs to bring down the government.
Rivalry
Devegowda defeated Siddaramaiah, wants cadres to work together now
But for cadres of JD(S), the alliance hasn't been easy. For years, they have slammed Congress and the idea of campaigning for the coalition didn't find many takers.
For example, in Chamundeshwari constituency, Devegowda defeated former CM Siddaramaiah by 35,000 votes.
This time he expects the workers to toe the line and seek votes for candidates of the coalition.
Meeting
Naturally, chaos took over important meeting of JD(S)
During Friday's meeting, Devegowda found it difficult to placate the cadres. "We were the ones who got involved in cases during the last election," a JD(S) worker reportedly said.
After the meeting, Devegowda said, "The Congress and JD(S) have contested against each other. But this is the Lok Sabha election. We have asked them to keep aside the local issues and work together."
Broken ties
Meanwhile, Congress leaders are unwilling to support Kumaraswamy's son
What deepened the rift between JD(S) and Congress was the latter's decision to not support Kumaraswamy's son Nikhil in polls.
Nikhil has been fielded from Mandya and rather than supporting him, local Congress leaders swore allegiance to independent candidate Sumalatha Ambareesh.
Sumalatha is a former MP and widow of actor MH Ambareesh. BJP hasn't announced a candidate for this seat yet.
Statement
Kumaraswamy lashed out at Congress, others, for forming "chakravyuha"
Commenting on the fissures, Kumaraswamy claimed Congress and others formed a chakravyuha to defeat his son.
"She may appear as an independent but she has got the support of Congress, BJP and Raita Sangha," Kumaraswamy said on Friday.
Notably, the Vokkaliga community, to which Devegowda belongs, dominates Mandya. JD(S) sees the constituency as its citadel but looks like it isn't sure about a win.