Why BJP and JD(S) may stick to poll bonhomie instead of merger

BENGALURU: The new-found bonhomie between the BJP and JD(S) has given way to talks about both parties sinking their mutual differences and becoming one entity ahead of the 2023 assembly polls.


But experts and senior functionaries of both the parties have dismissed the possibility of merger despite the similarity of their political agendas.

“It makes sense to support the BJP on an issue-by-issue basis but the question of merging with them looks very unlikely at this stage. There may be electoral accommodations for the next assembly elections to minimise splitting of vote, but not merger,’’ said a senior JD(S) functionary. He said an alliance like the one they have now would be more workable than a merger.

The chances of MLAs and other leaders of JD(S) getting any significant positions in the saffron party are also bleak.

If a merger should happen, JD(S) face HD Kumaraswamy would not accept anything less than the CM’s position. Not just him, leaders of the two parties, from the grassroots to the highest levels, would have to give way to one another.

“So I don’t see it happening. After a merger, there would be fights over party positions and seat allocations, from the top to the bottom,” said another JD(S) functionary.

Kumaraswamy would want to keep focus on consolidating his position as the CM by retaining JD(S ) identity. If a merger were to happen, he added, BJP would be at the losing end because grassroot workers would be more inclined towards their leaders than the party.

It’s not that the BJP is keen either, mainly because the JD(S), which had an alliance with both BJP and Congress since 2004 under different governments, has never been sincere to its partners. “State BJP veterans would not want a merger as their positions in a merged party would be at risk. So, they are likely to oppose such talks for now. In future, this might change,” said a BJP old-timer.

But some feel the parties can form a strong political force that will be strong enough to form the government on its own.

As the two parties have a foothold in two different regions, it would prove a death-knell for the Congress, which is increasingly looking to eat into the vote share of JD(S). “This also seems to be the aspiration of the people as it will produce a good mix of most competent candidates and will not divide votes between three political parties,” said another BJP figure.

BJP also wants to end the dominance of JD(S) in Old Mysuru region, especially Mandya, Hassan and Ramanagara districts.

A merger would make sense for BJP, as the stakes are particularly higher for the party. The party has failed to win a simple majority in the last three assembly polls. “By accommodating JD(S) functionaries, it can get experienced and mass leaders to form “a highly competent government”,” said some party members.


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