Karnataka: JDS’s almost certain victory depends on four independents

The Rajya Sabha polls on February 27 might provide the Congress or JDS-BJP combination a perceived edge, as the Lok Sabha elections are expected to be declared shortly.

A victory would suggest that JDS-BJP is capable of accomplishing the seemingly unachievable, while a loss would reinforce the notion that they failed twice in a succession.

Despite having only 19 MLAs in the state assembly, JDS is attempting to elect their candidate, Kupendra Reddy, with 45 votes. Even with the 21 votes the BJP may provide him, he will only get 40 votes. He needs the support of four independent MLAs in addition to the cross-voting of a Congress MLA in order to reach the elusive 45.

It will be the regional party’s second loss if that doesn’t occur. Just over a week ago, Puttanna of the Congress defeated JDS-BJP candidate Ranganath in the Legislative Council election. With just over 700 votes, Congress had embarrassingly lost this seat in the last election. Political analyst BS Murthy said that it will be difficult for the BJP-JDS to motivate their united cadres if they also lose the RS poll.

According to sources, JDS persuaded Reddy, one of the wealthiest politicians in the state, to run for office in order to use his influence and resources to win.

However, Murthy noted that it may not be feasible given that the Congress administration has just been in office for eight months at this time. He went on, “It would have been a different story if it was the fag end of this government.”

Mallikarjun Latha
Selling a story has helped the independents win, and it will be hard for them to defend their position to their supporters if they change their minds. Puttaswamy Gowda, a Gauribidanur MLA who became victorious as a Congress renegade, is vying for the Mandya ticket for himself.

Sharath Bache Gowda, his son-in-law, is the chairman of Keonics and a Congress MLA. The Congress backed farmer leader Darshan Puttannaiah, the other MLA from Melkote, while JDS was his main opponent. Latha Mallikarjun, a resident of Harapanahalli, is now an associate member of Congress.

MLA Janardhan Reddy is Kupendra Reddy’s trump card since he has not only promised to back him but has actively sought for support. According to the sources, Janardhan Reddy and JDS state president HD Kumaraswamy had a tense relationship, but that is now in the past.

Since everyone wants the four independents to support them, they are the ones with all the cards. While MLAs from the BJP-JDS and Congress are required to present their ballots to representatives of their respective parties, independents are exempt, which means it is difficult to determine who they supported. Tuesday’s polls promise to be an exciting one.