The Janata Dal (Secular) and its complex history of shifting political alliances in India

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1999 by former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda, the Janata Dal (Secular) has long been a pivotal, if volatile, force in Karnataka politics. From leading coalition governments to navigating internal rebellions, the party’s trajectory reflects the intricate and often unpredictable nature of regional power dynamics in India.

The Janata Dal (Secular) emerged as a breakaway faction from the Janata Dal in July 1999. Its roots trace back to the 1977 Janata Party, a coalition formed to challenge the Indian National Congress. By 1996, the original Janata Dal reached its zenith when H. D. Deve Gowda became India's Prime Minister. However, internal fractures over potential alliances with the Bharatiya Janata Party eventually led to the formation of the JD(S).

Throughout the 2000s, the party experienced significant turbulence in Karnataka. H. D. Kumaraswamy, son of Deve Gowda, served as Chief Minister multiple times, often through shifting coalitions. His first term, beginning in 2006, was marked by a controversial power-sharing agreement with the BJP that collapsed in 2007. Later, in 2018, the party returned to power through a post-poll alliance with the Indian National Congress, only to lose its majority in 2019 after a series of resignations.

Today, the party faces a period of decline and internal friction. In the 2023 Karnataka Assembly Elections, it secured only 19 of the 204 seats it contested. While the national leadership joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance in September 2023, the party's unit in Kerala has openly rebelled against this decision, choosing to remain within the state's Left Democratic Front coalition instead. This split highlights the growing ideological divide within the organization as it struggles to maintain its relevance.

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