Kumaraswamy invites Congress MLAs upset over Cabinet snub to join JD(S)
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy on Saturday said the Janata Dal (Secular) would welcome Congress legislators who are disappointed after the recent Karnataka Cabinet expansion, if they wish to join his party.
Speaking at a public meeting in Haradanahalli in Holenarasipur taluk, the former Chief Minister said he had noticed that some Congress MLAs were unhappy over not being given ministerial berths, despite being promised one. Without naming any individual, he said such disappointment was visible among a section of the ruling party's legislators.
“If they wish to join the JD(S), I will welcome them. More than opening the party’s doors for them, I wish to say that those who are interested in ensuring a people-friendly administration in the future and are willing to bring about a change are welcome,” he said.
He further said that if not now, then ahead of the next elections, it would be inevitable for many to quit the Congress.
Kumaraswamy's remarks come amid ongoing political realignments in Karnataka. The Congress government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, expanded its Cabinet on August 22, 2024, in a move widely seen as an attempt to balance regional, caste, and community equations within the ruling party. A total of 29 legislators were inducted as ministers or ministers of state, but some aspirants were left out.
Political observers say the JD(S), led by Kumaraswamy and his father, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, has been trying to expand its base beyond its traditional strongholds in southern Karnataka. The party, which currently has a small presence in the state assembly, has historically been in competition with both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party. Kumaraswamy's invitation to disgruntled Congress legislators is seen by many as part of this broader political strategy.
Congress leaders, however, have dismissed the offer. Some party spokespersons pointed out that the JD(S) itself has seen defections in recent years, and that its current legislative strength is too small to attract serious lawmakers. They also questioned the timing of the statement, noting that the next state elections are due in 2028 and that such comments are often aimed at creating a narrative rather than reflecting actual political movement.
As of now, no Congress legislator has publicly announced any intention to quit the party or join the JD(S). Political analysts note that cross-party invitations are routine in Indian politics, but actual floor-crossing depends on multiple factors, including electoral arithmetic and individual ambitions.
The Karnataka Legislative Assembly has a strength of 224, with the Congress holding a comfortable majority. The JD(S) has only a handful of seats, and its ability to attract legislators from the ruling party remains untested. Kumaraswamy's statement, however, adds a new layer to the state's political discourse ahead of future electoral battles.
