Amid uncertainty over alliance with BJP, JD(S) sets out to strengthen party machinery

Bengaluru: JD(S) has launched a state-wide organisational revival drive as doubts swirl around its alliance with BJP in Karnataka. In a strategic move, JD(S) kicked off an ambitious online membership campaign on Sunday, aiming to enrol 50 lakh new members by Aug 15.
As part of the campaign, JD(S) youth wing president Nikhil Kumaraswamy began a state tour on Monday from Tumakuru, focusing first on southern Karnataka districts — considered the Vokkaliga heartland — in a bid to consolidate the party's core support base.
The heightened political activity in JD(S) comes amid rising tension within BJP over the future of the alliance. The two parties, which had earlier jointly taken on the Congress-led govt, have recently conducted separate agitations — notably over price rise and the M Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede incident, where they refrained from presenting a united front.
While both parties have confirmed they will contest upcoming zilla and taluk panchayat polls separately, a section of BJP functionaries is pushing to sever ties entirely ahead of the next assembly elections.
"BJP is strong enough to defeat Congress on its own," said Sakaleshpur legislator S Manjunath, popularly known as Cement Manju. "An alliance with JD(S) could deny us a clear mandate."
But JD(S) functionaries insist an alliance is crucial to challenge Congress' dominance in the state.
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Former MLC and party election coordinator KA Tippeswamy said the alliance primarily targets assembly and parliamentary polls and would continue for the next assembly election as well. "Our party brass has decided to leave it to district functionaries to decide on a tie-up for ZP and TP elections," he said.
Speaking at the launch of the membership drive, JD(S) state president and Union minister
HD Kumaraswamy
dismissed rumours of a rift.
"The alliance is intact. Vested interests are even spreading canards about my health. Those spreading rumours about the fragility of the alliance or about my health will be proven wrong. We will present a united front to defeat Congress," Kumaraswamy said.
Sources indicate BJP's central leadership is in favour of the alliance, given growing concerns about internal cohesion and the party's struggle to consolidate Vokkaliga votes.
They point out that while BJP state president BY Vijayendra faces resistance from some factions, a significant section of BJP members, especially from the Vokkaliga community, view the partnership with JD(S) as vital.
Former deputy chief minister and senior BJP legislator CN Ashwath Narayan echoed this sentiment, saying, "Our mission is to oust this corrupt and incompetent govt and ensure a Congress-mukt Karnataka. We will do whatever is necessary, and our high command will take a final call on the alliance and election strategy."

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