Karnataka assembly bypolls: Can Congress-JD(S) pact keep BJP out?

BENGALURU: It appears the bypoll battle is much closer than previously thought, with the Congress and the JD(S) putting on a stronger fight than anticipated against the BJP.
While the BJP publicly exuded confidence it would win at least 10 of the 15 seats — if not all — top functionaries privately admitted that they might just scrape through.
The BJP currently has 105 legislators, besides the backing of independent H Nagesh.The lone BSP member, N Mahesh, also seems amenable to supporting the party which means it needs to win only five seats to remain at the helm.
“We are confident of achieving the goal [staying in power],” said P Muralidhar Rao, BJP general secretary incharge of Karnataka. “Ground reports from across constituencies are quite encouraging. It shouldn’t be tough for us.”
However, KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao said the BJP may continue its Operation Lotus (poaching of rival party MLAs) after the bypolls if it fails to get a majority. “But, it would not succeed as no legislator would want to join the saffron party now,” Gundurao said.
Political analyst NK Mohanram said, “Although the BJP is up against the Congress and the JD(S), technically they are not fighting them. However, a rebellion within the party cadre and the simmering anger against the disqualified MLAs could prove its downfall. As of now it looks like the BJP might win six or seven seats of the 15.”
This has not deterred the opposition camps, especially the JD(S), from going all out. The regional outfit is hoping to emerge kingmaker should the bypolls result in a fractured mandate. Senior Congress functionaries are keen on stitching up an alliance with the JD(S).
“I think we should not miss an opportunity to keep the BJP at bay. Also, a dalit could become CM which would be justice for the community,” said former Union minister KH Muniyappa, a dalit.
However, a senior functionary said the JD(S) may take a cue from Maharashtra and form an alliance with the BJP. Party supremo HD Deve Gowda is unwilling to share power with the Congress with Siddaramaiah at the helm and is therefore playing the dalit CM card to keep him at bay. Mallikarjun M Kharge and G Parameshwara are two know dalit faces in the Congress.
“Making a dalit the CM is an acceptable solution which even Siddaramaiah cannot oppose. While it all depends on the situation that emerges after the bypolls, we expect the Congress to make the right moves,” said JD(S) state president HK Kumaraswamy.