Congress, JD(S) plan to make I-T raids a poll issue, prevent BJP foray into Vokkaliga heartland

BENGALURU: The Congress and JD(S) combine had failed to build a strong narrative against BJP in Karnataka. But the income tax raids on businessmen and contractors close top JD(S) leaders might have come as a blessing in disguise for the ruling partners.
With less than three weeks left for the polls, the two parties are now expected to launch a blistering campaign against the BJP and draw a narrative that "Narendra Modi is out to finish of the Vokkaliga leaders in Karnataka".First, it was D K Shivakumar and now the JD(S) leaders.
The raids may also force the two party leaders to set aside their differences, piled up over seat-sharing and ticket distribution and put up a united front over the next three-weeks. A glimpse of this was seen on Thursday when Congress and JD(S) leaders led by chief minister H D Kumarswamy held a protest in front of I-T office in Bengaluru.
Political analysts also believe that the two parties, who were wrestling for political space in south Karnataka, giving advantage to the BJP, may now join hands to stop BJP’s foray into the Vokkaliga heartland.
During the I-T raids last year, Kumaraswamy had issued a statement supporting Shivakumar and calling the move politically motivated. Last week, Shivakumar shared the dais with Kumaraswamy’s when his son Nikhil filed the nomination papers in Mandya.
The Congress too has its own reasons for backing JD(S). The party knows it will send a different political signal in the Vokkaliga belt of Old Mysuru region ahead of the polls and they perceive it is a potent weapon to stop Modi wave in Karnataka, particularly in the Vokkaliga heartland.
This apart, the coalition partners Congress and the JD(S) have also lined up a slew of measures to take on the BJP.
Congress and JD(S) leaders have decided to address separate rallies in all 28 Lok sabha constituencies to send out a strong message to grass-root workers and ensure they work collectively for the victory of consensus candidate. Former prime minister and JD(S) chief HD Devegowda and former chief minister and Congress Legislature party leader Siddaramaiah will be two main faces of these rallies, sources added considering that the unity of Vokkaligas, who constitutes 12-15% of the population and Kurubas who constitute around 6-9 % are crucial in defeating BJP in 8-10 constituencies of the state.
The first major show of unity is likely to commence from Monday where AICC president Rahul Gandhi and Deve Gowda will address the first joint campaign rally.