Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Oct 20: At a time when both the JD (S) and the Congress have not yet taken a concrete measure to enter into an understanding for the by-election, a secret understanding has been reportedly struck by the chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and ex-deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah for the said election.
The BJP, which has risen to power in the state for the first time and which has prepared the ground for the by-poll because of its own 'Operation Kamala', is treating the by-election as the question of prestige. It has to win a minimum of seven out of the eight seats, for which polls will be held.
The BJP leaders are worried over the talks of electoral alliance between the Congress and the JD (S), as it can rock its plans. At the same time, Siddaramaiah is unhappy about such an understanding with the JD (S), which he wants to fight tooth and nail.
Yeddyurappa feels that his leadership might be challenged if the party does not fare well in the by-elections. There is a compulsion for him to show good performance. It is said that he has now got a shot in the arm in the form of support from Congress leader Siddaramaiah. Siddu is learnt to have declined an invitation to join the BJP, but has agreed to support the BJP candidates, even when remaining in the Congress.
At the behest of the chief minister, ministers Anand Asnotikar and Shivanagouda Naik met Siddu three days ago and sought his support for them. While the BJP feels that the Lingayats and higher caste voters will support it, it has calculated that the party's chances in the election will become stronger if the party also garners support of the Kurubas, which is a backward caste and for whom, Siddu is the undisputed leader.
Siddaramaiah, who feels humiliated and neglected in the Congress, feels disgruntled over the party's overtures towards the JD (S). It is said that he wants to show the party his value, by inflicting injury on it by way of electoral defeat by joining hands with the BJP.