Hyderabad: Amidst reports of secret alliance between BJP, JD(s), MIM and others to divide secular votes to benefit the saffron party, senior IPS officer known for his daring remarks against communal forces has alleged that “according to deep sources within the BJP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah are banking heavily on their investment in the JDS, MIM, AAP, BSP, MEP and the 1000+ Independent Candidates to split the secular vote in Karnataka.”
According to deep sources within the BJP, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are banking heavily on their investment in the JDS, MIM, AAP, BSP, MEP and the 1000+ Independent Candidates to split the secular vote in Karnataka.
— Sanjiv Bhatt (IPS) (@sanjivbhatt) May 11, 2018
Secular voices from all the corners accusing the JD(S) and its supporters to be a B-team of the saffron party. Following 2004 elections when Congress, JD (S) coalition government broke down, BJP and JD(S) reached to a deal to form a new government. As per the deal, the chief ministership was to be shared between Kumaraswamy and BS Yeddyurappa for an equal period of time. The first chance at chief ministership was given to Kumarswamy, while Yeddyurappa served as his deputy. As part of a power-sharing agreement, Kumaraswamy was to leave the post of chief minister on 3 October 2007. But when the time came, he refused. This forced Yeddyurappa and all the ministers from his party to resign and on 5 October, the BJP formally withdrew support to the Kumaraswamy government.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) led by Asaduddin Owaisi campainned for JDS in the Assembly elections in Karnataka. He declared support to former PM HD Deve Gowda’s Janata Dal (Secular) which is in pre-poll alliance with the Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
MIM party has decided to support JD (S) party in Karnataka Assembly elections @hd_kumaraswamy we want non congress & non BJP govt in Karnataka for a qualitative development .MIM will not be fielding any candidates I will address public meetings support of JD(S) if there is need
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) April 16, 2018
Karnataka has a sizeable Muslim population and the ruling Congress was attempted to consolidate non-BJP votes. Owaisi’s support to JD (S) assured a major divide of Muslim votes in the region.
According to sources, former PM, Mr. Deve Gouda has lost grip over JD (S). His son, Kumara Swami is taking unilateral decisions. JD (S) have floated Muslim candidates in areas where there is sizeable Muslim population in order to counter Congress candidates which directly benefit BJP.
The state has 224 constituencies which gone to polls on May 12 with 70 percent polling. The counting will take place on May 15.