HD Kumaraswamy to be Next Karnataka Chief Minister? Congress-JD(S) to Ink Post-Poll Pact, Say Reports

Bengaluru, May 15: Despite ending a distant second to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Karnataka poll race, the incumbent Congress may end up still being in power via a post-poll alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular). In a bid to persuade the HD Deve Gowda-led party, the Congress has offered the chief ministerial post to his son HD Kumaraswamy, reports citing sources said.

Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad had reached Bengaluru late on Monday, a day before the results and called upon Deve Gowda. According to ABP News, the party has expressed the willingness to form a coalition government which could be headed by former CM Kumaraswamy.

In the state capital, a huddle was reported outside the Chief Minister's official residence, with sources claiming that the party has decided to open all channels of talks with the JD(S) for a post-poll tie-up.

Karnataka Election Result Status

The Congress and JD(S) had last tied up in 2004, when Karnataka gave a fractured mandate in the then assembly elections. The government, however, lasted for only two years as Kumaraswamy walked out accusing the Congress of attempting to "erode his party".

In 2006, Kumaraswamy had joined hands with the BJP -- a decision which his father has derided as a "historic blunder".

Ahead of this assembly election, Gowda had reiterated that his party would neither join hands with the Congress nor the BJP. However, he stressed more on his aversion towards a tie-up with the latter, due to its "communal agenda".

"My entire life, I fought against the communal and fascist forces. I even led the United Front government in 1996 as the PM to prevent the BJP from coming to power. I would not allow my son to compromise any of those principles," Gowda had said, while speaking to reporters.

On being pointed about the JD(S)' tie-up with the BJP in 2006, Gowda said he was hospitalised at the time when his son walked out of the Congress and joined hands with the BJP.

"Had I not been admitted, I would not had let this happen. If my son forms a coalition with the BJP again, I will disown him," Gowda added.

Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy had also vented his apprehension towards joining hands with either of the national parties. While justifying his previous tie-up with the BJP as a "measure to save his party", Kumaraswamy said he would never betray the secular ideals of his father.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 15, 2018 02:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).