Click to play videoBangalore: Just a few weeks ago, Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former prime minister, H D Deve Gowda was an arch-enemy of the Congress in the Karnataka elections.
However, proving the old adage 'a week is a long time in politics' right, Deve Gowda now seems to be looking to tie up with the same party he was running against in the polls - the Congress.
The provocation it appears, is the attempt of the BJP government in Karnataka to break Deve Gowda's party and hence strengthen BJP's majority in the state assembly. In the last 48 hours, two JD(S) and two Congress MLAs have quit their parties to join hands with the ruling BJP.
Deve Gowda told the media: "We must put an end to people breaking away and joining with the BJP. That is why I am ready to go with Congress. We must not simply defeat these people, but also teach them a lesson."
The state Congress maybe reluctant to tie up with a leader who is notorious for not keeping his word, but for the Congress's Central leadership, Deve Gowda may be a useful ally in the nuclear endgame.
The JD(S)has two MPs, and their support could be crucial in a confidence vote that the Manmohan Singh Government is likely to face in Parliament once the Left withdraws support over the Indo-US Nuclear Deal.
Former Karnataka chief minister and AICC Spokesperson, Veerappa Moily says, "They are all secular parties and we are not averse to secular parties. They are always anxious to fight against communal parties."
And while tying up with Deve Gowda will not easy for most Karnataka Congressmen, saving the Manmohan Singh Government at the Centre is likely to be priority number one, and in the number game in Parliament, every MP will count.
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