With the exit of former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa from the BJP, the Janata Dal (S) is said to be open to doing business with the saffron party.
The BJP, faced with the threat of Lingayat strongman, B.S. Yeddyurappa weaning away its votes in the forthcoming assembly elections, may go for a tacit understanding with the Janata Dal (S) for the polls.
A highly placed source in the BJP quoting the age-old maxim, ‘your enemy’s enemy is a friend,’ said "we are not averse to the idea ."
The BJP and the JD (S) have had a previous understanding dating back to 1983, when the charismatic Ramakrishna Hegde was at the helm of affairs in the state. "Mr Kumaraswamy became Chief Minister in the state for 20 months with our support. Now, the alliance with the Janata Dal would be the best method to limit the damage caused by Mr Yeddyurappa leaving our party," the source said.
BJP leaders like state unit president, K.S. Eshwarappa and deputy chief minister, R. Ashok are said to be for it, saying “it’s mutually beneficial”.
The JD(S)’s influence is restricted to the Cauvery basin districts which contribute about 90 seats while the BJP's influence is spread across three major regions — Malnad, Coastal and North-Karnataka — which add up to more than 120 seats.
Together, even in constituencies where they do not hold sway completely, both parties can bring in 4,000-8,000 votes.
Mr Kumarswamy was not averse to the idea as "the Congress party does not like to play second fiddle to JD (S). Even if its numbers are less than its coalition partner. Congress retains the CM's post at any cost, whereas the BJP will have little hesitation in coming to an arrangement, even offer the post to its coalition partner.