The Janata Dal Secular is back to playing games in Karnataka. Watching the developments closely, it becomes clear that the JDS is not interested in making things easy for the Bharatiya Janata Party.
When B S Yeddyurappa was sworn in as chief minister of the state, it seemed as though the differences had been sort out and the people will have a government at last. However, differences have cropped up yet again with the JDS imposing several conditions on the BJP.
Not only does the JDS want the BJP to adhere to the conditions, but also wants it to sign on a stamp paper in which the conditions are listed. Besides this, the JDS also wants a written assurance from the BJP on its letter head stating that it would abide by all the conditions.
Apart from the signing of the document, there are various other factors that have irked the JDS.
- The presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at the swearing-in ceremony has irked the JDS no end. The party says that they had given support to the BJP on the assurance that it would uphold secular values. According to the JDS, the presence of Modi gave an extremely communal colour to the coalition.
- Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh activists from across the country too were present in large numbers at the swearing in ceremony, thus making it an RSS show. The JDS was irritated by the saffron show, as it gave the impression that they were supporting a communal party.
- JDS chief H D Deve Gowda was also upset when senior BJP leaders, who were in Bangalore for the swearing-in ceremony, did not meet him.
- Yeddyurappa and his Cabinet took several policy decisions without the JDS. The JDS was upset that decisions were being taken before they joined the government.
- The BJP was not in favour of letting Kumaraswamy have a major say in the decision-making while the JDS wanted him to be the chairperson of the Karnataka Development Front (BJP-JDS coalition).