Kumaraswamy Secures Cabinet Seat: JD(S) Leader's Political Masterstroke

H D Kumaraswamy, a two-time chief minister and five-time MLA from JD(S), has secured a seat in the union council of ministers by aligning with BJP. Despite JD(S)'s historical struggles to form a standalone government in Karnataka, Kumaraswamy's strategic maneuvering has ensured continued political relevance for his party.

H D Kumaraswamy, the two-time chief minister and five-time MLA of JD(S), has once again showcased his political acumen by securing a seat in the union council of ministers, despite his party joining the BJP-led NDA just last year.

Founded in 1999, JD(S) has never formed a government on its own in Karnataka, yet it has been in power twice, in coalition with national parties. Kumaraswamy served as chief minister for 20 months with the BJP from February 2006 and for 14 months with the Congress after the May 2018 assembly polls.

As the son of JD(S) patriarch and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy has resiliently fought the 'battle for survival' to regain political relevance for his party. His victory in the Mandya Lok Sabha seat, defeating Congress's Venkataramane Gowda by 2,84,620 votes, reaffirmed JD(S)'s enduring influence in Karnataka.