JD(S) likely to raise the issue of cross-voting with BJP central leaders

Sharath S. Srivatsa

After an embarrassing defeat in the Legislative Council polls, in which at least four of its legislators cross-voted, the Janata Dal (Secular) is likely to raise the matter with its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ally BJP. The regional party continued to insist that the election outcome would not affect the alliance.

With a total of 11 cross votes that went in favour of Congress from the NDA stables, the JD(S) believes that four of its legislators cross voted. Besides, four votes allocated from the BJP to its candidate also went to Congress. Three more remain a mystery.

Report to ally

“Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has spoken to the BJP central leaders about the poll debacle and embarrassing cross votes already. He will give a detailed report on possibilities that led to cross voting from both parties and also last minute issue with coordination between the parties,” JD(S) sources said.

It is learnt that there was lack of coordination between the two parties over the allocation of votes, and the two parties did not come together for a preparatory meeting before the elections too. Incidentally, the JD(S) herded its flock to a resort near Devanahalli where training was given to the legislators. The BJP trained its legislators at a hotel in Bengaluru.

“The allocation of votes to JD(S) also became dynamic. Though initially, the BJP had promised to transfer six of votes to JD(S), the fears over cross voting from BJP forced them to reduce it to four. We believe even these four did not come to our candidate,” sources said. “Despite the election outcome, the alliance will remain solid and even become stronger because ruling Congress has hurt both NDA partners,” another party source said.

Ironically, though JD(S) lost at least four of its own in voting, 17 out of 18 legislators took part in the training on the eve of election on Wednesday. The same 17 legislators were present for a meeting with Mr. Kumaraswamy a day after the election on Friday. “Except G.T. Deve Gowda all others were present at Devanahalli, including those who cross-voted,” a source said.

No immediate action

Though a number of legislators on Friday urged Mr. Kumaraswamy to investigate cross-voting and take action, the Union Minister was not inclined to do so. Sources said that the party had a “rough idea” about those who have cross-voted and possible reasons behind it.

It is learnt that Mr. Kumaraswamyh told the legislators that his brand of politics is based on mutual trust. “He told legislators that if anyone was interested to leave the party, they were welcome to do so. He told them that there was a mutual relationship, and that he would not come in the way if someone looked for greener pastures.”

Meanwhile, Janata Dal (S) Legislative Party leader C.B. Suresh Babu told presspersons that they had sought disciplinary action against those legislators who have cross-voted, and that they had left the decision to Mr. Kumaraswamy. He said that Congress, which has allegedly indulged in horse trading, would itself reveal the names one day.