BJP-JD(S) alliance intact after MLC polls, says Kumaraswamy
Synopsis
Kumaraswamy is pushing back hard on the alliance-fracture narrative after Karnataka MLC cross-voting — but his own account reveals a party that entered the election one vote short, faced alleged ₹50–100 crore inducements, and is now waiting on a BJP inquiry committee. The 2028 framing is deliberate damage control.
Key Takeaways
Kumaraswamy dismissed speculation of a BJP–JD(S) split following the Karnataka Legislative Council election results.
He alleged legislators were offered development grants of ₹50 crore to ₹100 crore to vote for a rival party's candidate.
The BJP has formed a three-member committee led by C.T.
Ravi to examine cross-voting in the MLC poll.
Kumaraswamy met 17 JD(S) MLAs — G.T.
Devegowda was absent — and said all provided explanations.
He attributed the rift narrative to Congress and said the MLC outcome will have no bearing on the next Assembly elections.
Kumaraswamy has set his sights on the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections as his primary political objective.
H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel and Karnataka Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) President, on Saturday categorically dismissed speculation that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)–JD(S) alliance had fractured following the Karnataka Legislative Council elections. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kumaraswamy insisted that no force could drive a wedge between the two parties.
Why the MLC Election Triggered Alliance Concerns
The Karnataka MLC poll results raised eyebrows after reports of cross-voting by legislators from both the BJP and JD(S) surfaced. The JD(S) had fielded a candidate following consultations with its own legislators, all of whom had insisted the party contest. Kumaraswamy acknowledged that the party entered the election expecting support from its 17 MLAs and some surplus BJP votes, but noted that one of their 18 votes was already unavailable going in.
He explained that after both major parties secured around 30 votes each, JD(S) was left counting on just four votes and second-preference support — a narrow margin that left little room for defections.
Inducement Allegations and Cross-Voting Claims
Kumaraswamy made a pointed allegation: legislators were reportedly offered development grants ranging from ₹50 crore to ₹100 crore per constituency in exchange for voting for a particular party's candidate. He maintained that he had never engaged in such practices, though he acknowledged that some MLAs may have been swayed by promises of constituency funds.
Drawing a historical parallel, he recalled that cross-voting had also occurred during the 2017 Rajya Sabha elections, arguing that such incidents are not unusual in indirect electoral contests.
What the BJP Said
The BJP has constituted a three-member committee led by C.T. Ravi to examine the developments surrounding the MLC poll. Kumaraswamy said he would travel to New Delhi to brief the BJP national leadership on the circumstances of the election. He added that the decision to field a JD(S) candidate had been taken in consultation with Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka, with the consent of the alliance leadership.
Congress Factor and the 2028 Horizon
Kumaraswamy squarely attributed the rift narrative to Congress, arguing the party was actively trying to exploit any sign of discord because it understood the political consequences of a cohesive BJP–JD(S) front. “Congress wants a crack in the BJP-JD(S) friendship because it understands the political consequences if the alliance remains intact. However, this election will not have any bearing on the next Assembly elections,” he said.
He met with 17 JD(S) MLAs — with G.T. Devegowda notably absent from the latest meeting — and said all of them had offered their explanations. The MLAs have left the final call to him. Kumaraswamy made clear his focus is now firmly on the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections. “My focus is on 2028. Karnataka needs a genuinely people-oriented government, and it is my responsibility to work towards that goal,” he said.
Point of View
Rather than immediately closing ranks, suggests the party is keeping its options open. The ₹50–100 crore inducement allegation, if it gains traction, could complicate the alliance further by forcing both parties to publicly account for legislator conduct. With 2028 still three years away, the real test is whether this episode becomes a precedent that emboldens future defections or a one-off that the alliance machinery quietly absorbs.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Karnataka MLC election results damage the BJP-JD(S) alliance?
Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has firmly denied any damage to the alliance, stating that no one can create a rift under any circumstances. However, cross-voting by legislators from both parties prompted the BJP to form a three-member inquiry committee led by C.T. Ravi.
What inducement allegations did Kumaraswamy make?
Kumaraswamy alleged that legislators were promised development grants of ₹50 crore to ₹100 crore per constituency if they voted for a particular party's candidate during the MLC election. He said he had never engaged in such practices himself.
Why did JD(S) contest the Karnataka Legislative Council election?
The decision to field a JD(S) candidate was taken after consultations with party legislators, all of whom insisted the party contest. Kumaraswamy said the move was also cleared in discussions with BJP leaders including Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra and Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka.
What is the BJP doing about the cross-voting reports?
The BJP has constituted a three-member committee led by C.T. Ravi to examine the cross-voting developments. Kumaraswamy said he would also meet the BJP national leadership in New Delhi to brief them on the circumstances surrounding the election.
What is Kumaraswamy's political focus going forward?
Kumaraswamy has stated that his primary focus is the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections, aiming to bring what he described as a genuinely people-oriented government to the state. He said the 17 JD(S) MLAs have left the final decision on alliance matters to him.
