Janata Dal (Secular)

The Janata Dal (Secular), commonly called the JD (S), is a regional political party. Its political position is centre-left, operating on the ideology of Social Democratic Secularism. The Janata Dal (Secular) has its mass base in the states of Karnataka and Kerala. Also, in Kerala, it is a prominent part of the Left Democratic Front.

The JD (S) was formed in 1999, by former Prime Minister of India, H.D. Deve Gowda. It was formed when the Janata Dal split in 1999, into the Janata Dal (Secular) and Janata Dal (United). The split took place over tensions when Chief Minister J.H. Patel lent support to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The JD (S) walked the footsteps of the Janata Party, which was headed by the brilliance of Jayaprakash Narayan, the stalwart who united all anti-Congress parties during the autocratic rule of Indira Gandhi during her reign as Prime Minister. In fact, the Janata Dal (Secular) draws its legacy from the Janata Party, respecting Jayaprakash Narayan as their greatest ideal ruler. As a result, H.D. Deve Gowda not only opposed policies and schemes of the BJP, but did not enter into an alliance with the Congress from the moment of its birth.

The Karnataka Assembly elections in 2004 revived the fortunes of JD (S), when it entered into an alliance with the ruling government in the state. The JD (S) believes in bearing true allegiance to the Constitution of India, by building a socialist, secular, democratic Republic of India, where all individuals will live in harmony, barring any social or political discrimination. Today, the JD (S) is the third-largest party in Karnataka. It considered the Congress a lesser evil than the BJP, as the former works on the foundation principles of secularism and centre-left politics. The JD (S) entered into an alliance with the Congress, though for a very short span when a lot of controversies arose over the alliance of the two parties. For the upcoming general elections in 2014, the JD (S) is strongly opposed to the communalism of the BJP as well as the increased corruption and scams under the present Congress regime. It is a member of the Third Front.

Election Symbol and its Significance

The Election Symbol of the Janata Dal (Secular), as approved by the Election Commission of India, is "A Lady Farmer Carrying Paddy on her Head." This is a significant symbol as it represents what the party stands for. The tagline of the party is "United by Value, Driven by Faith." The JD (S) believes that there should be equal opportunities for all citizens of the country, by focusing on building a 'community that lasts.' Irrespective of caste, creed, class, race, ethnicity, sex or religion, the JD (S) believes in propagating the true values of Gandhian socialism and the rich heritage of the freedom struggle of India. The ushering of individual liberty by the coming in of Indian independence is carried forward by the JD (S).

The symbol of the 'woman' farmer is representative of the JD (S) being sensitive to the question of women's rights and opportunities. The JD (S) in its Constitution focuses the issues of education, health care, employment, farmer rights and privileges and equal opportunities to all. The JD (S) upholds a polity based on principles of decentralized economic and political power. The JD (S) is strongly opposed to the concept of a theocratic state, preaching no discrimination on the grounds of religious differences.

Leaders of the Party

The leaders of the Janata Dal (Secular), who are also the national executives of the party, are listed below:

• Haradanahalli Doddegowda Deve Gowda, President of the JD (S)
  Deve Gowda is the 14th former Prime Minister of India and founded the JD (S). He has also remained a former Chief Minister of Karnataka. Gowda is a strong proponent of the cause of farmers, earning himself the name "Mannina maga" or "son of the soil". He is presently a Member of Parliament of the 15th Lok Sabha. He is also current Member of the Committee on Defence.
• N.M. Joseph, Vice President of JD (S)
  Joseph has remained an MLA of the 8th Karnataka Legislative Assembly. He was also in-charge of the Ministry of Forests.
• Kunwar Danish Ali, Secretary General of JD (S)
  He has remained an MLA in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
• Neela Lohitha Dasan Nadar, General Secretary of JD (S)
  He is a renowned lawyer, as well as an MLA in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. He held the portfolio of Law, Electricity, Irrigation, Labour and Housing. He is a former Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha.
• Sripat Rao Shinde, General Secretary of JD (S)
• C. Balaraman, General Secretary of JD (S)
• Zafar Ullah Khan, General Secretary of JD (S)
• Kuldeep Singh Rana, General Secretary of JD (S)
• David Simeon, Secretary of JD (S)
• Devender Nath Ambedkar, Secretary of JD (S)
• Sheela Naik, Secretary of JD (S)
• Rama Shankar Singh, Secretary of JD (S)

Achievements of JD (S)

As a regional political party, the JD (S) has had a number of significant achievements. Some of these are listed below:

• The Janata Dal (Secular) has a number of frontal organizations under its banner. Its student wing called the Student Janata Dal, its youth wing called Yuva Janata Dal and its women's wing called the Mahila Janata Dal have contributed greatly to the cause of these particular sections of the society.
• As a benefit for the farmers in the states of Karnataka and Kerala, the JD (S) waived of interest on loans to farmers who had cleared the principal amount. The JD (S) also provided 10 hours uninterrupted power supply to the farmers in these states, so that they could carry out the irrigation process comfortably.


• The Janata Dal (Secular) initiated a National Agro Policy, which was pro-farmers and pro-rural in approach. Janata Dal kept up its promise of reviving the 'Green Card' scheme for the urban and rural people below the poverty line. These people benefited by getting ration at a cheaper price of Rs. 3.25 per kg. The Janata Dal (Secular) Government, when in power, issued Green Card to 65 lakh families.
• As a Prime Minister of India, Deve Gowda attended many forums of international trade and development such as the Forum of International Economists in 1995, and ensured much foreign investments in the country at that time, hence enhancing the political and economic condition of trade and commerce in India.
• Deve Gowda was immensely successful in completing the "Krishna Jalabhagya Nigama" or the Krishna River Project. This was a big challenge for the JD (S) as the river Krishna is the heart of Karnataka. As the prime minister, Gowda provided rupees 122 crores for the development of the project. The Government further agreed to give rupees 252 crores for the project. For the A.I.B.P (Accelerated Irrigation Benefit programme) on the Krishna river, 130 crores was given for the development.

Contact Details

Official Website of JD (S): http://jds.ind.in/
Head-Office Address of JD (S): No.5, Safdarjung Lane, New Delhi -110003
Contact Numbers: 011-23794499, 23794431
Email id: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

JD(S) Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha Election Results Year Wise

Lok Sabha				Vidhan Sabha
State	Latest Year	Seats Won		Latest Year	Seats Won
Karnataka	2019	1		2018	37
Kerala	2019	0		2021	2