In position, but not ready: Karnataka's political turmoil ahead of LS Polls

The incipient revolt against two recent appointments by a section of leaders indicated that the BJP may have to get its act together before challenging the Congress

Karnataka is potentially the only southern state where a fierce contest is anticipated between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), currently allied with the Janata Dal (Secular) or JD(S), and the Congress in the Lok Sabha election.

The Congress, having swept the May 2023 Assembly polls and currently governing Karnataka, is pitted against the BJP, which is out of power but aspires to stage a comeback in the 2024 battle, emulating its success in 2019. The BJP fell short of a majority in the 2018 Assembly election but rebounded a year later in the parliamentary polls.

However, the Congress, which believes