While all political parties in Karnataka have entered into poll mode, the Janata Dal-Secular, a key player is yet to sort out plenty of problems with the rebels in the party getting more rebellious.
The faceoff between H D Deve Gowda and M P Prakash seems to be getting worse with both parties refusing to bat an eyelid.
While Gowda at any cost cannot lose Prakash, the latter seems to be riding high on the offers he has been getting from the other parties.
Today Prakash is a man in demand and what he had said has been proven right. Prakash had claimed that apart from former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, only he was capable of splitting the party.
The Gowda group did not expect such a swing in fortunes in Prakash's favour with at least 20 JD-S members including Kumaraswamy's loyalists taking the side of Prakash.
Prakash, who had earlier tempted the Congress with an offer to join them, today is being sought after by parties such as the Bahujan Samaj Party and the Janata Dal-United. Both the parties believe that the inclusion of Prakash into their parties could improve their fortunes in the state of Karnataka.
They are also aware that Prakash being a Lingayat could have a major say in the vote bank as the community controls a major share of the ballot box.
Strangely the ego of the Gowda faction seems to have bitten the dust this time around with both the father-son duo of Gowda and Kumaraswamy urging Prakash to stay on.
Gowda had not seemed the least bit worried when he lost Ramakrishna Hegde, Siddaramaiah and P G R Scindia, three iconic leaders in the past.
However with Prakash the case is different and both the father and the son are just not willing to lose him.
Gowda has been soft on Prakash and Kumaraswamy going to Prakash's residence to convince him has become a routine affair.
Prakash is however playing his cards close to his chest. He seems pleased that his fading image in Karnataka politics is slowing being revived.
Although he controls the fate of 20 JD-S party members, he says that he is not interested in floating his own party.
Prakash said that he will take a final decision only after meeting with leaders who share his views.
A decision in this regard would be taken only after December 11, he said. Prakash may also wait for Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati to come down to Bangalore and hold talks with her.
Mayawati will be addressing a rally of the BSP workers on December 23.
Prakash is now daunted with the task of making a choice between the JD-U and the BSP.
While joining the JD-U will seal the Lingayat votes, he may have to struggle more if he joins the BSP.
The BSP is a new party and needs to be built in Karnataka. The BSP could expect only the Dalit votes in the state.
If Prakash joins the JD-U then there is every chance of him getting more Lingayat votes as this community would prefer voting for the JD-U, considering the fact that several leaders from this party are Lingayats.
To capitalise further on the Lingayat votes, an alliance between the BJP and JD-U is also not ruled out.
The BJP is rallying hard on the caste factor stating that a Lingayat leader (B S Yeddyurappa) had been dumped by the JD-S.
