Despite exit polls predicting a sweeping victory for the BJP-led NDA, the Congress-led INDIA bloc remains confident of securing over 295 seats.
However, senior Congress members have expressed concerns and suggested the party prepare to counter any NDA alliance efforts to destabilize the state government. A closed-door meeting was held in the morning, followed by a Congress Legislature Party meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to discuss the June 13 legislative council polls from the assembly. During the meeting, Siddaramaiah and his deputy, DK Shivakumar, sought to motivate legislators and address the prevailing political scenario.
“We are confident that INDIA will form the government at the Centre by winning more than 295 seats. Just as with the 2023 assembly elections, exit polls will be proven wrong,” said GC Chandrashekhar, KPCC working president. “But we are aware of BJP-JD(S) plans to pull down our government, and we don’t want to be complacent. They will not succeed as all our MLAs are united and loyal. On the other hand, a few MLAs from BJP and JD(S) are keen on joining us.”
BJP MLAs ST Somashekar and A Shivaram Hebbar have been openly engaging with Congress, and Industries Minister MB Patil mentioned that 13 to 19 JD(S) MLAs are willing to join Congress.
Infighting and Dissent
Recent developments within Congress have been a cause for concern, including seniors from the Siddaramaiah camp seeking to replace Shivakumar as state president and a group of MLAs holding meetings to demand a cabinet reshuffle. Siddaramaiah is likely to meet with MLAs soon to commemorate his government completing a year in office and release developmental funds for their constituencies.
Dissent is not limited to Congress. The BJP state unit has also seen upheavals, with organizational general secretary GV Rajesh being sacked last week. Sources say the internal strife will continue regardless of the Lok Sabha poll results. Several members resent the leadership of state president BY Vijayendra, and this is expected to deepen as his father, BJP parliamentary board member BS Yediyurappa, is set to move to the sidelines.
The threat to the Congress government remains as sources indicate some BJP functionaries are working on ‘Operation Lotus,’ though this has been publicly denied. “The government will fall on its own because of the internal conflicts within that party. Our focus is on forming the government at the Centre,” said N Ravikumar, whom the BJP named as MLC candidate for a second term on Sunday.
Results Crucial for JD(S)
JD(S), facing turbulence due to various reasons including a sex scandal involving Prajwal Revanna, is also keenly awaiting the results as it hopes to win all three seats it contested. The party has convened a legislature party and a core committee meeting on Monday. “Congress is plotting to dismantle our party. But we will emerge stronger as we are set to win all three seats,” said KA Tippeswamy, senior JD(S) MLC.
