The JD(S) on Sunday appointed former minister Merajuddin Patel as the president of its Karnataka unit, replacing M P Prakash.The appointment of Patel, who hails from a minority community, came as a surprise even for party members, coming as it does just a month ahead of the scheduled power transfer from the JD(S) to the BJP in the state.It also followed former prime minister and JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda’s statement that the party would have no understanding or alliance with anyone in the coming urban local body elections, including partner BJP.“Relations with the BJP are confined to power-sharing at the state level. The party would maintain equidistance from both the BJP and the Congress,” Gowda said.The statement has gained significance in the backdrop of moves by the BJP to have a local understanding with the JD(S) for the polls. Even the Congress is considering local alliances for the polls, though it has not specified whether it will have an understanding with the JD(S). With just 30 days left for the power transfer to the BJP, the JD(S) seems to be taking the urban local body elections seriously to strengthen its base at the grassroots.Gowda is scheduled to meet senior BJP leader A B Vajpayee in the next few days, where he might propose that the status quo in the Government be allowed to continue for the full term.
