'Coalition has problems, let us contest separately', says senior Congress leader amidst rift with HD Kumaraswamy's JD(S) in Karnataka

Highlighting the extent of infighting in the HD Kumaraswamy- led coalition government in Karnataka, senior Congress leader and former Member of Parliament (MP) KH Muniyappa said that the grand old party and JD(S) must contest elections separately. 

Speaking to media, he said that coalition has given rise to problems and has affected both the Congress and JD(S), adding that both parties must contest the next elections separately. 

He added that the leaders have worked, workers have worked yet both the parties have seen a loss like never before and emphasized that both the parties should do self-analysis.

"Let the government go on but when it comes to elections, let us contest separately. Either they will win or us. But BJP will go to the third position. The coalition has given rise to problems not only our party but also to theirs. Even Deve Gowda has lost. We should not blame anyone. Our coalition system didn't go well. We should improve it. We will go on with the government. But in elections, it will be a triangular contest," KH Muniyappa said. 

"I won't comment on the leaders. But the reality is that when they(JD(S) contested in 7 places, there was no complete support. Even in 21 places, yes there were leaders, there was work done, they voted but not completely that's the reason everything came down together. Both parties are not together since the beginning. Especially in Dakshina Kannada district for the past 20-30 years, we (Cong-JD(S)) have been rivals that's why people have not accepted it yet," he added.

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The Congress-JD(S) coalition has seen major controversy during the poll campaign where Congress leaders and JD(S) openly questioned each other's authority. There have also been instances where Congress leader Siddaramaiah has questioned Kumaraswamy's skill to be the Chief Minister as growing dissent among the Congress MPs have also lead to defection. Kumaraswamy has also taken many potshots at Siddaramaiah openly when reports of him wanting to be chief minister again came out.

Adding to their woes, in a setback to the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in Karnataka in 2019 elections, the BJP swept 25 parliamentary constituencies out of a total of 28, leaving Congress to one seat. The Congress and JD(S) coalition, which won 117 seats combined, is currently in power in the Karnataka State Assembly managing a slim margin over the BJP's 104 seats.

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