Despite Congress high command’s unstinted backing for a nationwide caste census, the party’s own exercise in Karnataka has been kept under wraps for a long time for fear of backlash from dominant groups like Lingayats and Vokkaligas. Kharge’s criticism of DK Shivakumar mirrors this divide in the party and society
JD(S) leader and former Chief Minster HD Kumaraswamy has been strident in his attack on alleged corruption to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore in the cash-for-transfers cases.
Karnataka Assembly Elections 2023: However, in the event of a hung assembly, which some of the exit polls indicate is a possibility, it is the JD(S) with its likely modest numbers that could once again become the king or the kingmaker.
Karnataka Elections 2023: From Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar and Parameshwara in Congress to Bommai, Bellad, Karandlaje, Yatnal, et al in BJP and Kumaraswamy in JD(S), a number of leaders are aspiring for the Chief Minister’s chair. But will any party seize the opportunity to foreground social justice when it makes a CM choice?