As Karnataka’s coalition government appeared close to falling, a column argued that the Congress had only itself to blame for the crisis, and for any similar threat to its governments in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The writer contended that internal turmoil in the party mattered more than the BJP’s role, which critics were likely to emphasise.

The column’s case on Karnataka

According to the column, the Congress-JD(S) alliance was unworkable from the start. Letting the smaller partner hold the chief minister’s post was described as clever tactics but poor strategy, unlikely to satisfy ambitious figures such as former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The writer compared it to Mao’s resentment at playing second fiddle to Khrushchev, which preceded the Sino-Soviet split.

The column said the Congress repeatedly asserted itself over Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who was once seen weeping in public, and that the Lok Sabha results showed the two parties’ voters did not transfer support to each other. It singled out Siddaramaiah, claiming he had not accepted losing the top job and, citing private conversations, that some believed he had encouraged the rebel MLAs. It praised DK Shivakumar for putting the party first and said State Congress president Dinesh Gundurao had been unable to end the feud.

Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan

The writer saw similar patterns elsewhere. In Madhya Pradesh, the column pointed to differences between Chief Minister Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia after the Lok Sabha defeat, and said Nath had concentrated on his son’s election. In Rajasthan, it cited rumours that Sachin Pilot, unhappy at being passed over for chief minister, had stayed on the sidelines, and said Ashok Gehlot had focused on his son’s constituency.

The national picture

The column also argued that, as in 1977, most Congress MPs now come from the south, with Kerala the largest group, and that southern leaders were seeking more influence in the AICC. It concluded that the BJP could hardly be expected to pass up such openings, and that the blame would rest with the Congress.

What happened next

The Kumaraswamy government, formed on 23 May 2018 with Congress support, fell in July 2019, and B. S. Yeddyurappa returned as Chief Minister.

See also: Indian National Congress | Janata Dal (Secular) | Election news

Originally published on 9 July 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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