Putting an end to speculations, Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda Tuesday announced that the party will contest the Lok Sabha elections independently. However, he hinted at keeping options open, considering the recent cordial relations between the JD(S) and the BJP. Claiming that he was not invited to the meeting of Opposition parties held in Bengaluru earlier this month, Deve Gowda said, “Although Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar wanted me to be there, a section of Congress leaders in the state wanted to keep the JD(S) away.” His statement has come at a time when his son and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy expressed his intention of working with the BJP against the Congress government in Karnataka. Kumaraswamy also raised speculations by holding a joint press meeting with BJP MLA and former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai. During Tuesday’s press meeting, Deve Gowda stated: “The JD(S) will fight the Lok Sabha elections independently. Whether we win five, six, three, two, or one seat, we will contest the Lok Sabha elections independently. We will field candidates only in those constituencies where we have a strong presence after consulting our workers.” The former prime minister also said the party’s future course of action will depend on the evolving political landscape. He reminisced how the JD(S) had supported the Congress-led government led by former prime minister Manmohan Singh in the past. It may be recalled that during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the JD(S) and the Congress formed an alliance. However, the BJP secured 25 out of 28 seats in Karnataka. The JD(S) and the Congress managed to win one seat each, while an independent candidate supported by the BJP also emerged victorious. Despite the JD(S) experiencing a setback in the May elections to the 224-member Karnataka Assembly where its tally came down to just 19 seats, Deve Gowda remained confident about the party’s future. The party leaders, including 19 MLAs, seven MLCs, and other top members, held a meeting last week to devise campaign strategies for various districts. The plans will be finalised after Kumaraswamy’s return from abroad.
