In a show of strength and Unity in the Congress-JD(S) alliance against the BJP in Karnataka, top leaders of the two parties, including JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda and ex-CM Siddaramaiah held a joint press conference on Saturday ahead of the November 3 bye-polls. Sharing the dais were Ex Prime Minister and JDS patriarch , H D Dvegowda , Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar, Deputy CM G Parameshwara and KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao.

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy addressing the media said, “The joint presser is more to do with cementing the renewed friendship of Siddaramaiah and HD Deve Gowda more than our coalition. They may have two different bodies, but their heart is one.” Political analysts feel the press conference was a message to the grassroot workers of both the former rival parties, who are yet to come to terms with the coalition.

Despite the two parties announcing that they will contest in the Lok Sabha polls as partners, the strained relationship between Deve Gowda and Siddaramaiah is well known in political circles. It maybe recalled that Siddaramaiah was ousted from the JD(S) in 2005 for calling it a ‘father and son’ party.

 Deve Gowda’s opening statement to reporters, set the Agenda . He said “After 12 years, Siddaramaiah and I are sharing the same dais for the success of the coalition government and the upcoming five by-elections. We have forgotten our past differences and are working together for a joint success. We will go and ask the people for forgiveness for our differences having come as a deterrent:”

He added, “I urge the party workers and local leaders to forget the past difference with Congress and come together for the cause of the national issues at stake. Our common political enemy is BJP. We have no personal grudges with BS Yeddyurappa or any other BJP leader. But ideologically our enemy is BJP.”

Siddaramaiah who largely maintained silence during the Press Conference said, “HD Deve Gowda is a former prime minister and knows the current political scenario in the country and is taking the lead in stopping communal forces in the country. It is not correct to say that Congress and JD(S) party workers will not work together. It is true that we fought individually but due to unavoidable circumstances we have to work together.”

He added, “If required both Congress and JD(S) will campaign together for the upcoming by-polls.” While the photo-op of the Press Conference sent a strong message , the big challenge for the two parties is to ensure coordination between the workers on the ground , especially in South Karnataka where the two parties ar dominant players.