The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Karnataka): The political future of Bangalore North MP D.V. Sadananda Gowda continues to be shrouded in speculation, as both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress Party seem eager to secure his allegiance. BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra expressed confidence on Tuesday that Gowda, a former Chief Minister of Karnataka, would not leave the party, citing ongoing efforts to address his concerns and ensure his retention.
Vijayendra’s remarks come at a time when the Congress Party appears to be intensifying its efforts to attract leaders from the BJP. “Suddenly, Congress is showing more interest in leaders of our party. They will not succeed in their design to lure our leaders,” Vijayendra told the press, highlighting the political tug-of-war.
Gowda, who had planned a press conference to clarify his political intentions, postponed the announcement following discussions with the Vokkaligara Sangha, a prominent community organization. The Sangha’s president, D. Hanumantaiah, made it clear that the community would not accept the marginalization of its leaders by any political party, emphasizing support for Gowda and other Vokkaliga leaders such as C.T. Ravi and Pratap Simha.
This support comes amid criticism of the BJP for its alleged reluctance to nominate Vokkaliga candidates, with Hanumantaiah suggesting that community members might opt for the ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) option as a form of protest.
On the Congress side, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar played his cards close to his chest, noting the fluidity of political affiliations and indicating a welcoming stance towards those who align with the Congress ideology. This strategic ambiguity keeps the door open for potential shifts in party allegiance, reflecting the complex dynamics of Karnataka’s political landscape.