New Delhi/Bengaluru, June 8 (IANS) Congress General Secretary and Karnataka In-Charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Monday criticised the BJP and JD(S) leadership over the reported denial of Rajya Sabha nomination to former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, calling the development politically “astonishing and eye-opening”.

In a statement, Surjewala alleged that the BJP had chosen its state Vice President in charge of “District Building Construction”, M. Nagaraja, over the former Prime Minister for a Rajya Sabha nomination. He termed the move a “humiliation” of Deve Gowda and criticised the JD(S) leadership for allegedly accepting such treatment.

Surjewala further said that the repeated acceptance of such “insults” by JD(S) leader, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy, according to him, reflected a political compromise made solely to retain ministerial positions.

Recalling past political developments, Surjewala said that in the 2019 general elections, Deve Gowda had lost to BJP’s G.S. Basavaraju. He also noted that despite political differences, Congress and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi had extended support to elect Deve Gowda to the Rajya Sabha, respecting his status as a former Prime Minister from Karnataka.

He further pointed out that Deve Gowda had earlier expressed strong opposition to the BJP and had even stated that he would “disown Kumaraswamy” if he joined hands with the BJP.

Surjewala also referred to the JD(S)-BJP alliance in October 2023, under which Kumaraswamy became a Union Minister handling the Heavy Industries portfolio.

He concluded that the latest developments reflect a political approach driven by “power at any cost,” which he said now defines JD(S) politics in Karnataka.

Surjewala further stated, “Let it be recalled and remembered. In the May 2019 General Elections, BJP’s G.S. Basavaraju had defeated Deve Gowda. Then, Congress and Sonia Gandhi, despite their political differences and respecting his status as ex-PM from Karnataka, extended their support to elect Deve Gowda to Rajya Sabha as MP. In fact, Deve Gowda had earlier said and maintained his strong Opposition to BJP, going to the extent of publicly stating that he will “disown Kumaraswamy” if he joins hands with BJP.”

“Despite all these claims, in October 2023, JD(S) and Kumaraswamy entered into an alliance with BJP and Kumaraswamy became Union Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi government with Heavy Industries portfolio. Now, on 7th June, 2026, BJP denied Rajya Sabha nomination to H.D. Deve Gowda. This tells us – power at any cost, power at all costs is the one and only motto of JD(S) in Karnataka now,” Surjewala said.

The BJP national leadership has announced the candidature of its senior leader Dr M. Nagaraja for the Rajya Sabha.

–IANS

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