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The adage, “you must hit the iron when it is hot” seems well understood by former Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy, if we go by the reports of an imminent patch - up between BJP and JD (S) to form a BJP - led Government with B. S. Yediyurappa as Chief Minister.

If this does not finally materialize and should the JD (S) form the Government with Congress support, there is no doubt JD(S) will be, knowingly, committing harakiri.

It may be recalled that JD (S) under the leadership of H. D. Kumaraswamy came away from the Congress - led Government alleging that Congress was trying to “purchase” some JD (S) MLAs to form the Government on its own strength and thus split JD (S). Kumaraswamy then claimed that he did what he did, even at the cost of incurring the displeasure of his father and JD (S) supremo H. D. Deve Gowda only to save the party.

If that was the apprehension then, the same seems to persist even now.

Consider what Congress is doing with M. P. Prakash? Why is Congress shying away from talking to JD (S) supremo or his son H. D. Kumaraswamy? Is it not an attempt at splitting JD (S)?

And then, assuming Congress and JD (S) do form the Government with M. P. Prakash as the Chief Minister or whoever, what stops Congress from withdrawing support to the Government when it finds itself ready to face the election?

Congress is known for this kind of political move and treachery. Remember, how Congress withdrew support to Prime Minister late Chandrashekhar's Minority Government in the Centre on a flimsy, silly ground that a Policeman was seen in the premises of Rajiv Gandhi assumed to be for spying? The same fate may befall the JD (S) if it falls for the overtures of the Congress.

It is also important for JD (S) not to forget the Siddaramiaha factor in Congress. Siddaramiaha will do everything to settle scores with his bete noire and political enemy No. 1 H. D. Deve Gowda because of the advantage he will have as a Congressman in that coalition Government.

Therefore, the only option now available for the JD (S) to survive in Karnataka as a third front is to avoid Congress and align with BJP. Otherwise, election is the next option which right now is totally unfavorable for the JD (S) because of the stigma of being a Vachana Brashta.

Public memory may be short but here in this case it is too short for the voter to forget the political betrayal by JD (S). Hence, any election now will be to the advantage of BJP and Congress. The JD (S) may as well disintegrate if an election is held now.

Prakash camp “happy”:
The JD (S) faction led by former Home Minister M. P. Prakash seems to be happy over the developments in Bangalore .

Former Minister H. S. Mahadevaprasad, who is in Delhi along with M. P. Prakash in an effort to have alliance with Congress, told our correspondent that the MLAs led by Prakash would be returning to Bangalore in the wake of today's development.

"We too were working towards avoiding elections. As the developments in Bangalore too are favorable for us, we will return to Bangalore as the scene has shifted to the State Capital", he added.

Midnight deal at school:
It was around midnight that Kumaraswamy and Yediyurappa decided to revive BJP – JD (S) ties yesterday.

The leaders had a one – on - one meeting at Royal International School on the outskirts of the city.

Earlier, former Transport Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy met B. S. Yediyurappa at around 9.30 pm.

The talks were revived only after RSS top leaders M. C. Jayadev and K. Narahari spoke to Kumaraswamy.

Courtesy: Star of Mysore