With the opposition parties taking on collectively against ruling Congress in the bye-election, a first in recent times, shift in political positions could be on the cards ahead of Lok Sabha polls with former CMs H D Kumaraswamy and B S Yeddyurappa emphasizing that there could be no permanent enemies in politics.
JD(S) is contesting the bye-poll to Lok Sabha and has not entered the fray for bye-election to three constituencies in the upper house while BJP is contesting from Dharwad and Chitradurga local authorities' constituencies. Both BJP and KJP are not contesting the by-polls to Mandya and Bangalore Rural constituencies.
On Monday, the two leaders met each other, shared common platform, made known that they are cozying up to each other and shared a huge garland posing for the shutterbugs. Both indicated they are not averse to joining hands to take on Congress. While Kumaraswamy kept his options open saying political realignment could some time to materialize Yeddyurappa said he is taking opposition along in the run up to Lok Sabha polls. "Kumaraswamy was my friend, is my friend and will be my friend," he said adding he will devise future political strategy in consultation with political parties.
Inauguration of JD(S) MLA Sa Ra Mahesh's convention hall provided the platform for the two leaders to display their bonhomie after they bitterly fell out with each other in the aftermath of Kumaraswamy's refusal to handover power to BJP as part of 20 months power sharing formula in October 2007. Kumaraswamy, who stayed overnight in the city, visited Suttur and met Suttur mutt seer Shivaratri Deshikendra Swami. Later he drove for the inauguration of his party MLA's event where Yeddyurappa joined him. The two leaders walked together to the dais when a huge garland was presented to them. Both the leaders squeezed to fit into it and posed for the photographers and later joined hands to light the lamp even as district minister V Srinivas Prasad and former BJP minister S A Ramdas looked on. After five minutes, Yeddyurappa excused himself and left but not before he informed his predecessor.
When reporters approached him, Yeddyurappa said Sa Ra Mahesh has asked him to attend the event and he did. "There are no permanent enemies in politics. As I've said, the opposition will fight Congress collectively and we're devising strategies accordingly." Kumaraswamy is my friend, the KJP leader said of JD(S) leader. Though Kumarswamy refused to attach political significance to their meeting, he said he will go with Yeddyurappa's assertion that there are no permanent enemies in politics. "We're all friends in politics and fighting for our political battle. Political compulsions push us to devise various strategies." Asked whether is it sign of political realignment, Kumaraswamy didn't rule it out. "It is premature to say now."
However, JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda was not enthusiastic about the meeting. "It is apolitical and efforts should not be made to read politics in their meeting," Gowda, who arrived after both the leaders had left, said.
After meeting with Kumaraswamy, Yeddyurappa asserted that he is not rejoining BJP and will formulate political strategies for the Lok Sabha polls in September. "I'll announce with whom we are entering into alliance after discussing the issue at the party's executive committee meeting in September." After the bye-elections, I'll announce important decision, he stated.
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