Former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda has made it clear: the JD(S)-BJP alliance will remain intact for all upcoming elections in Karnataka, from panchayat to city corporation to state assembly. In a bold press conference, Gowda directly challenged speculation about the alliance’s longevity, emphasizing his unbroken rapport with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and underlining that this partnership will outlast mere election cycles.
Gowda did not hold back, lambasting the Congress-led state government for failing to deliver urgent flood relief to Kalyana Karnataka and giving them a 48-hour ultimatum to respond. He criticized the government’s fiscal mismanagement—blaming its guarantee-driven welfare schemes for leaving the state coffers unprepared in a crisis. Even as he rallied his party’s base for the forthcoming Bengaluru civic polls, promising massive grassroots mobilization and a target of 50–60 seats, Gowda called on leaders and workers to learn from past defeats and rebuild the party’s credibility.
Yet, the alliance has faced friction. JD(S) leaders are keen to preserve their party’s regional relevance and identity, avoiding being overshadowed by the BJP. Recent separate protests on local issues and ongoing public controversies highlight the delicate balance within the coalition – proof that the partnership is not without its challenges, even as it aims to counter the resurgent Congress in Karnataka. Gowda’s pointed remarks linking Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar to the high-profile arrest of his grandson Prajwal Revanna added another layer of raw political intrigue, indicating that the state’s largest players are far from pulling punches.
Gowda’s stance offers a rare moment of clarity in Karnataka’s politically volatile environment: the JD(S)-BJP alliance is betting on longevity and grassroots revival, directly attacking government failures while staking out a distinct identity within the NDA fold. Whether this bold strategy will revive JD(S)’s fortunes or simply cement BJP’s dominance remains to be seen – but the message is unambiguous: Congress and critics ignore this partnership at their peril.