Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP) 

Bengaluru, Nov 7: At a time when Congress is exhibiting its belligerence and predicting the fall of the BJP government in the state after the by-poll, the saffron party has found solace from the most unlikely quarter, the JD(S). JD(S) leaders, who have indirectly dropped hints that they would not allow this government to crumble, have made life easy for the BJP and its chief minister, B S Yediyurappa. 

Recently, former chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy, had dropped hints at the party's softened stand about the BJP by praising Yediyurappa for flood relief works undertaken by the government. Now, national president of the JD(S), Deve Gowda, has said that no one is permanent enemy for his party and that anything can happen. It is said that Deve Gowda called Yediyurappa on Tuesday night to inform his party's changed stance.

Deve Gowda and Yediyurappa  

Yediyurappa said that Deve Gowda has the ability to discern which is good and what is bad. He however, refused to confirm that the JD(S) patriarch had assured support to his government. 

BJP was badly in need of some outside support as a standby if it faces reverses in the by-poll. It also is bothered by rumours that some BJP leaders, frustrated by the party's decision to deny them tickets for the bypoll, might cross over to the Congress. The BJP is very much cautious now, taking cue from the recent developments in Maharashtra and Haryana. 

It is said that the JD(S) wants to stop some its legislators from migrating to the Congress or BJP by staying closer to the power corridors. Being friendly with the government helps the JD(S) MLAs to get higher grants to their constituencies. Some speculate that the party might be planning to form coalition with the BJP by securing the spot of deputy chief minister for H D Revanna. 

BJP MLAs are reportedly angry at this arrangement, as they feel that it would be difficult to face the electorate with a soft stance towards the JD(S) after making accusations against its leaders during the election. At the Wednesday meeting, several BJP legislators opposed the idea of getting outside support of the JD(S) while a few felt it is advantageous for the party. There were a few who said that the leadership should wait for the result and change its strategies depending on the outcome of the by-poll. 

The disqualified legislators have got angry by the above news. They said that they had resigned, as they were opposed to the JD(S) government. They said that their relevance and standing would be lost if they have to join hands with the JD(S) now. When they took up the issue with the BJP leaders, the oft-repeated jargon of 'no one is permanent enemy or friend in politics' was used to calm them down, it is said.