Bengaluru, Nov 24: The twist in Maharashtra politics, wherein Ajit Pawar joined hands with BJP despite stiff opposition from Sharad Pawar, can be seen as history repeating itself, almost after 13 years when a similar drama had taken place in Karnataka.
Sharad Pawar’s distancing himself from nephew Ajit is similar to the power play by JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda and his son HD Kumaraswamy when the party had an alliance with BJP in 2006.
Kumaraswamy grabbed the CM’s post much against the wishes of Deve Gowda who wanted to maintain the secular credentials of the JD(S). Twelve years later, when Kumaraswamy once again became the CM in 2018 due to a fractured mandate, he recalled the hurt he’d caused his father and said he’d never again go against the patriarch’s wishes. “It was the greatest mistake of my life and I’ll never want to commit it again,” he said through his 14 month second term.
Despite all the public posturing, there was speculation of a tacit understanding between Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy to hold on to power for close to four years.
In recent times, Kumaraswamy and Deve Gowda have made contradictory statements ahead of the bypolls. While Kumaraswamy has hinted at supporting the BJP, Gowda has said he’s open to a post-poll alliance with the Congress.
Comments
Add new comment