Karnataka Assembly Polls 2023: Will JD(S) and Kumaraswamy get third time lucky?

Karnataka Assembly Polls 2023: The role of kingmakers and independent victors becomes very crucial whenever there is a hint of close fights and hung assemblies. And in case the Karnataka Assembly Poll 2023 throws a mixed verdict, the role of Janata Dal (Secular) in forming the next government in state will become paramount. But the kingmaker's role is a bridge far away, and the JD(S) has to first regain its lost ground after a disappointing performance in the 2018 Assembly elections and 2019 bypolls. In the 2018 elections, the JD(S) won just 37 out of the 224 seats, finishing third behind the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC). The party's vote share also dropped by 1.9% from 20.2% in 2013 to 18.3% in 2018.

Also Read : Karnataka Assembly Election 2023 LIVE Updates: Stage set for high-stakes polls; voting set to begin at 7AM on Wednesday 

Karnataka Assembly Polls 2023: Introduction to JD(S)

The Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S), is a regional political party in Karnataka. The party was formed in 1999 by the merger of the Janata Dal (United) and the Janata Dal (Secular). Since then, it has been a significant player in Karnataka politics, especially in the state's southern and central regions.

However, the JD(S) is hopeful of making a comeback in the upcoming elections. The party's leaders have been actively reaching out to voters and highlighting the failures of the BJP and Congress in the state. Its leaders have also been emphasizing their party's commitment to social justice and inclusive development, which the party top-brass believe will resonate with voters.

Karnataka Assembly Polls 2023: Strengths of JD(S)

One of the main prospects for the JD(S) is its strong base in the Vokkaliga community, which (at 15% of the population) is the second-largest community in the state after the Lingayats (17%). The party's founder, H.D. Deve Gowda, is a prominent Vokkaliga leader and a former Prime Minister of India. The JD(S) has traditionally drawn support from the Vokkaliga community, which is concentrated in the southern and central regions of the state.

The JD(S) also has a strong presence in the old Mysore region, which comprises ten districts in the southern part of the state. The party has won a majority of seats in this region in previous elections, and it is expected to do well here again in 2023. The old Mysore region has a significant population of Dalits and Muslims, who are traditional supporters of the JD(S).

Karnataka Assembly Polls 2023: JD(S) losing grasp over stronghold

The JD(S), however, faces stiff competition from the BJP and the Congress in other parts of the state. The BJP has been making inroads in the coastal and northern regions of the state, which have traditionally been strongholds of the Congress. The BJP has also been able to attract some of the JD(S)'s supporters, especially among the Lingayat community, which is concentrated in the northern part of the state.

The Congress, on the other hand, is trying to regain its lost ground in the old Mysore region, where it has a strong presence among the Vokkaliga and Muslim communities. The Congress has also been targeting the BJP's failures in governance and its alleged communal agenda, which it believes will resonate with voters.

Karnataka Assembly Polls 2023: JD(S)' tall leaders

Despite the tough competition, the JD(S) has some leaders who are expected to play a key role in the upcoming elections. H.D. Deve Gowda, who is the party's national president, is a seasoned politician and a respected leader in the state. His son, H.D. Kumaraswamy, is a two-time chief minister and a popular leader among the Vokkaliga community.

Another key leader of the JD(S) is Kumaraswamy's brother H.D. Revanna, who is a former Minister and a member of the Legislative Assembly from the Hassan district. Revanna is also popular among the Vokkaliga community and is expected to play a key role in the party's campaign in the southern and central regions of the state.

Karnataka Assembly Polls 2023: Good times ahead for JD(S)?

JD(S) faces a significant task against in-form BJP and resurgent Congress in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Election 2023, but there's no denial that it will play a major in government-formation in case the polls throw a hung Assembly. The party's focus on social welfare policies and rural development could help it gain the support of many voters, and its strong base in the Old Mysuru region means it could emerge as the kingmaker in case none of the two parties - Congress and the BJP - win a clear mandate in the Karnataka Assembly Polls 2023.