BJP-JD(S) Alliance Faces Tensions Amid Diverging Strategies in Karnataka

After their successful collaboration in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the alliance between Karnataka's BJP and JD(S) appears to be hitting choppy waters, with rising tensions over key issues and a lack of coordination between the two parties. Despite initially uniting to challenge the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, recent events highlight growing differences between the NDA allies.

BJP president B Y Vijayendra

The tension between the two parties came to the forefront on April 7 when the BJP launched its “Jan Aakrosh Yatra” from Mysuru, a 16-day statewide march aimed at protesting inflation, alleged minority appeasement, and mismanagement of welfare funds. However, JD(S), an important ally, was noticeably absent from the yatra. BJP leaders insist that the absence of JD(S) participation is not a sign of trouble, with state BJP president B Y Vijayendra asserting that any differences will be resolved through dialogue.

In contrast, JD(S) announced a separate protest in Bengaluru, scheduled for April 12, targeting the Congress government's price hikes. The divergence between the two parties marks a stark contrast to the unity they displayed last year during the "Mysuru Chalo Padayatra," a joint effort that called for the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over alleged corruption in the allotment of housing sites to his wife.

JD(S) Legislature Party leader Suresh Babu expressed concerns, revealing that the party was not consulted for the BJP's protest and yatra, fueling a sense of disregard from the BJP. Babu’s comments reflect deeper frustrations within JD(S) about the BJP's approach to their alliance. “We think that BJP feels it is a national party and their leaders are not too keen on consulting us while holding their programmes,” he said, stressing the importance of formal coordination between the two parties.

Despite these tensions, both parties have downplayed the issues. Vijayendra emphasized that JD(S)’s absence from the yatra was not indicative of a breakdown in relations. He pointed out that JD(S) had launched its own campaign against the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, which seeks to restructure the Bengaluru civic body. Meanwhile, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy also played down the differences, stating that while both parties are conducting separate programs, there is no problem within the alliance. He also highlighted the necessity of establishing an NDA coordination committee to address such concerns moving forward.

BJP sources suggest that the tensions were inevitable. The central leadership of the BJP had pushed for the alliance ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, but local BJP leaders were not entirely on board with the collaboration. The results of the 2024 elections, where BJP won 17 out of 28 seats while JD(S) secured just two, show that while the alliance helped restrict the Congress, it was far from a smooth partnership.

As the two parties navigate these challenges, their future in Karnataka politics remains uncertain. The outcome of their ongoing struggles could shape their strategies ahead of the 2025 state assembly elections, where cooperation or continued discord will significantly impact their chances against the Congress government.