Political friction is evident between Karnataka allies BJP and JD(S), highlighted by differing stances on the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project and the Valmiki Corporation scam. While JD(S) seeks to bolster its regional support through protests like Nikhil Kumaraswamy's padayatra against GBIT, the BJP appears to be leveraging issues like the Valmiki scam to maintain its role as an active opposition. These divergent strategies suggest that despite the overall alliance, the parties are pursuing separate political objectives within the state.

Political friction is evident between Karnataka allies BJP and JD(S), highlighted by differing stances on the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project and the Valmiki Corporation scam. While JD(S) seeks to bolster its regional support through protests like Nikhil Kumaraswamy's padayatra against GBIT, the BJP appears to be leveraging issues like the Valmiki scam to maintain its role as an active opposition. These divergent strategies suggest that despite the overall alliance, the parties are pursuing separate political objectives within the state.

Political friction is evident between Karnataka allies BJP and JD(S), highlighted by differing stances on the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) project and the Valmiki Corporation scam. While JD(S) seeks to bolster its regional support through protests like Nikhil Kumaraswamy's padayatra against GBIT, the BJP appears to be leveraging issues like the Valmiki scam to maintain its role as an active opposition. These divergent strategies suggest that despite the overall alliance, the parties are pursuing separate political objectives within the state.

When Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, announced a padayatra opposing the proposed Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township (GBIT) in Bidadi, BJP workers were conspicuously missing from the crowd at Byramangala on August 10 and 11.

Amid a sea of JD(S) green flags and shawls, BJP Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka’s saffron shawl was in the minority. Most BJP leaders were largely missing from the allies’ rally opposing Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s ambitious township project.

Days later, when newly inducted minister Madhu Bangarappa shared the stage with BJP state president and Shikaripura MLA B.Y. Vijayendra during a review of the drought situation in the constituency, a casual conversation picked up by a hot microphone revealed the differences between the BJP and JD(S).

When Madhu casually asked Vijayendra about the Bidadi padayatra, the BJP president said the party was participating only symbolically and that many farmers had already accepted compensation. Vijayendra later defended the remark, saying the government was forcing farmers to accept compensation.

On Sunday, when H.D. Kumaraswamy held a press conference on the KPSC recruitment controversy, he said there was no necessity for the BJP’s proposed padayatra against the alleged Valmiki Corporation scam. BJP has planned the yatra from Raichur to Ballari to retain the pro-Dalit momentum it had gained by persuading Minister Nagendra to resign. 

Kumaraswamy questioned the need for the padayatra when the minister accused in the controversy had already resigned. He, however, said the JD(S) workers in that region are free to participate in the march. The BJP later issued a statement saying that all was well within the alliance and that its state leaders would discuss the proposed padayatra with the Union leadership.

These incidents suggest that not all is well between the allies. JD(S) is backing Nikhil Kumaraswamy, who lost the Ramanagara Assembly constituency in the 2023 elections, and the Bidadi campaign gives him an opportunity to strengthen his political presence by mobilising farmers against the proposed township.

For the BJP, the calculation is different. The party had led a series of protests against then minister B. Nagendra over the alleged Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam.

The two allies, therefore, appear to be pursuing different political priorities in the state.  JD(S) is focusing on an issue that can consolidate its regional and Vokkaliga base, while the BJP is keen to keep alive issues that help it remain an active opposition. 

With strong support from the Union government to NDA partner Kumaraswamy, the alliance may remain intact. However, recent episodes show that the BJP and JD(S) are not walking the same political road in Karnataka.