Opinion: Bumps along the way - it’s high time Congress and JD(S) iron out differences

We have been witnessing a lot of drama post Karnataka assembly elections outcome. BJP had emerged as the single largest party in the elections with 104 seats, however, the rival Congress - with 78 seats in the kitty, acted promptly and allied with JD(S), which had secured 37 seats.

Furthermore, the Congress announced JD(S) chief HD Kumaraswamy as coalition's chief ministerial candidate - an offer JD(S) could not have said no to.

Subsquently, the coalition won the trust vote in the state assembly. BS Yeddyurappa, who initially took oath as the chief minister, conceded defeat with an emotional speech and resigned from his post.

Soon after Kumaraswamy took oath as the chief minister and the coalition government came into existence, BJP had predicted a fallout between the two parties. "We will not try to indulge in any attempt to destabilise the coalition government. They will fight and fall on their own. There is no need for us to do anything,” Yeddyurappa had said.

Last week, Kumaraswamy broke down during a public eventand said he was not happy being in the top post. His public outburst was taken as an indication of a growing rift within the coalition.

This was not the first time when Kumaraswamy expressed his displeasure as the chief minister. Earlier in May, the coalition head had said that he was at mercy of the Congress,because JD(S) did not get an absolute majority.

His statements, that too public ones, are a clear indicator of the fact that Kumaraswamy was never content with forming a coalition government. The chief minister knew that he had certain compulsions and before taking any decision he would have to seek the consent of Congress.

Meanwhile, JD(S) has refuted the reports of any strain between the two coalition partners, saying Kumaraswamy's reaction was just an emotional outburst. Congress, which seems to be frustrated and stressed, is blaming the Bharatiya Janata Party of playing dirty politics.

However, it’s noteworthy that Kumaraswamy has not come up with any clarification or official statement as yet.

Going forward

The first signs of trouble in paradise reared its head when there was a tussle between the two parties over distribution of portfolios. After that - when Kumaraswamy presented his first budget on July 5 and proposed tax hike on petrol and diesel.

This did not go down well with the congress and some party leaders wrote to the chief minister, asking him to withdraw the proposal. The Congress also claimed that budget had nothing stored for the northern parts of state.

It was a godsend for both Congress and JD(S) that they could form government in Karnataka, despite BJP emerging as the single largest party. They came together keeping aside their differences.

As political analysts suggest, Kumaraswamy should remain strong and avoid public breakdowns, because this gives wrong signal about its coalition partner.

Moreover, Kumaraswamy, who is committed to fulfill his poll promise of waiving of all the debts of state farmers, should have consulted Congress before announcing a loan waiver of Rs 44, 700 (initially Rs 34, 000 loan waiver, followed by an additional crop loan waiver of Rs 10,700 from cooperative banks).

Experts say waiving off such a huge amount could harm the fiscal management of the state.

Congress too should understand that criticising the chief minister in public will only give the opposition a reason to attack the coalition government. Congress leaders should support and respect Kumaraswamy as the coalition head if they want this government to run successfully. In particular, former chief minister Siddaramaiah need to shun his alleged dictatorial attitude.

If Congress and JD(S) want this coalition to complete the 5-year term, then they should stop washing dirty linen in public.There is, therefore, an urgent need for both the parties to sit and sort out their differences and establish a strong partnership.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)