Deve Gowda Calls JD(S)-Congress Alliance a 'Forced Marriage' That Ended in Divorce
Synopsis
Deve Gowda, the former Prime Minister, critiques the JD(S)-Congress alliance, labeling it a 'forced marriage' that led to a necessary divorce. His statements shed light on the tumultuous political landscape in Karnataka and the failures of Congress leadership.
Key Takeaways
Deve Gowda criticizes the JD(S)-Congress alliance as a forced marriage .
He claims the alliance ended due to an abusive relationship .
Kharge's light-hearted remarks sparked a serious discussion on political alliances.
Gowda recalls the events leading to the 2019 government collapse.
He maintains that the JD(S) did not abandon the alliance; the Congress did.
Bengaluru, March 18 (NationPress) Former Prime Minister and JD(S) Rajya Sabha member H.D. Deve Gowda addressed comments made by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament concerning his party's alliance decisions, stating that his previous partnership with the Congress was a “forced marriage” that inevitably concluded in a “divorce”.
In a recent statement, Deve Gowda remarked that Kharge had made a light-hearted statement in Parliament about his supposed “affection” for the Congress and his “marriage” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. Notably, Gowda was not present in the House when these comments were made, having left for Bengaluru to participate in Ugadi festivities.
“My dear and longtime friend Mallikarjun Kharge made a humorous remark today regarding my supposed love for the Congress, followed by my marital union with Modi Ji. He claimed he was unaware of the reasons behind this,” Gowda noted.
In a reciprocal tone, the former Prime Minister emphasized that his alliance with the Congress was not by choice. “If I were to respond using the same marital language, I would characterize it as a forced marriage with the Congress, which ultimately required me to seek a divorce due to its abusive nature,” he explained.
Reflecting on the political events of 2018 in Karnataka, Gowda mentioned that the Congress leadership had approached the JD(S) post the Assembly elections. He recalled that senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad had suggested that H.D. Kumaraswamy should assume the role of Chief Minister.
“I had made it clear in front of everyone that Mallikarjun Kharge should be appointed as Chief Minister. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was also in attendance. Nevertheless, Azad insisted that Kumaraswamy should spearhead the government,” Gowda elaborated.
Commenting on the downfall of the coalition government in 2019, Gowda alleged that the Congress failed to stop its legislators from defecting. “After all the celebrations surrounding the formation of the government, what transpired in 2019? Numerous Congress MLAs defected to the BJP. It is now widely known who facilitated those defections,” he asserted, singling out Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
He further remarked that had the Congress leadership taken action against those responsible for encouraging defections back then, Kharge would be in a more robust position today as AICC president.
Gowda clarified his position, stating that the JD(S) did not abandon the Congress alliance. “To clarify, I did not desert the Congress alliance. It was they who chose to depart, leaving me with no choice but to pursue a more stable partnership,” he concluded.
Point of View
Deve Gowda's remarks highlight the complexities and challenges of political alliances. His characterization of the JD(S)-Congress partnership as a 'forced marriage' underscores the tensions that can arise in political coalitions, reflecting broader issues of trust and stability within party dynamics.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Deve Gowda say about the Congress alliance?
Deve Gowda referred to his past alliance with the Congress as a 'forced marriage' that ultimately ended in a 'divorce' due to its abusive nature.
Who made comments about Deve Gowda in Parliament?
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge made light-hearted comments about Deve Gowda's relationship with the Congress and Prime Minister Modi.
What was Deve Gowda's response to Kharge's comments?
Gowda responded that his alliance with the Congress was not voluntary and likened it to a forced marriage.
When did the JD(S) and Congress alliance begin to unravel?
The alliance began to unravel after the 2019 defection of several Congress MLAs to the BJP, which Gowda attributed to Congress's failure to act.
What did Deve Gowda say about the future of the JD(S)?
Gowda clarified that the JD(S) did not abandon the Congress alliance; rather, it was the Congress that walked away, prompting him to seek a more stable partnership.
