JD squabbled, Cong won

What was significant was the manner in which the Congress was able to put its heart and soul in the campaign for the Humnabad seat. In contrast, the Opposition, particularly the Janata Parivar, was hopelessly divided. The Janata Dal-S and the Janata Dal-U pulled in opposite directions, thanks to the egoistic inhibitions of the Hegdes and Deve Gowdas. The latter8217;s JD-S, on the strength of the minority and backward class vote, came second, pushing the BJP to the third position.

The writing on the wall is clear for the Janata Parivar. Unless they unite before the next Assembly elections, they will suffer defeat and, in the process, will once again offer the state on a platter to the Congress.

For the BJP, it is the worst blow in the last three-and-half years. It has been wiped out from its strongholds 8212; it lost the Mangalore municipal elections and other urban pockets 8212; and has no presence at the grassroot level either. Unless the state party unit goes in for some serious introspection, it will be a surprise if the party can keep whatever remains of its flock together in the State Assembly polls.