B.S. Yeddyurappa’s political gamble in launching the Karnataka Janata Party at a massive rally on December 9 in Haveri has hit the Bharatiya Janata Party hard. In the run-up to the launch of the KJP, Mr. Yeddyurappa declared that he had the loyalty of 50 to 60 legislators of the BJP who would walk over at his bidding. The State BJP first scoffed, and then with ill-placed confidence threatened expulsion of those who attended the launch of the KJP and the breakfast meet preceding it. The rebel group defied the party on both counts. Fourteen BJP legislators participated in the rally, six BJP legislative council members were present on the dais, while 23 MLAs (including several ministers) broke bread with Mr. Yeddyurappa. The BJP, its bluster and confidence gone, has quietly capitulated and deferred and diluted its threat of disciplinary action against 20 of the rebels. It will now merely issue show-cause notices to the rebel faction, buying itself time to re-strategise. This elaborate shadow-boxing has given rise to a paradoxical situation in the Assembly. In a House that has a current strength of 223, and where the BJP’s formal strength is 118 (excluding the Speaker), there are 14 MLAs who have openly declared allegiance to Mr. Yeddyurappa’s KJP and yet choose not to resign as MLAs. On the other hand, the government’s continuance in office depends on these rebels. This establishes that the BJP is playing by the letter and not the spirit of democratic norms. Neither the ruling party nor the KJP faction would like to be seen as pulling down the government, as the State nears elections in May 2013.
The launch in Haveri — a massive show of popular mobilisation, and a demonstration of Mr. Yeddyurappa’s continuing hold over the BJP — is an ominous signal for the ruling dispensation. The chances that the KJP will trigger a broad re-alignment of political forces, attracting elements from disgruntled groups within the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular), appear unlikely. Mr. Yeddyurappa’s secular protestations ring hollow, as do his attempts to project a clean image. In fact, the former Chief Minister, who was responsible for subverting the BJP’s promise of providing stability and good governance, has managed to deftly shift the onus of his failure on to the party. For the BJP, its first experiment with governance on its own in Karnataka has been a disappointment from the start. After promising an alternative to the Congress and the JD(S), the BJP has a record even more dismal than that of the previous governments. It is with this track-record of non-performance, instability and corruption that both the BJP and its doppelganger, the KJP, must go before the people.
Keywords: Yeddyurappa, Karnataka Janata Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, KJP, Karnataka politics
(1) It is rather naïve to think that the Mr. Yeddyurappa’s exit would
not harm BJP’s fortunes in Karnataka. This exit would also have an
impact in next Lok Sabha elections. (2) During the last twenty years
or so BJP has admitted in its fold any number of leaders, with pockets
of influence in one or more regions within States and some of them
like Mr. Yeddyurappa became so strong that they could challenge the
party’s bosses in Delhi. For fear of losing power, the bosses in Delhi
tried to ignore the corrupt deals of this former chief minister in
Karnataka. But that proved suicidal and with Mr. Yeddyurappa’s exit a
new chapter has begun. It is likely that just as in UP, caste politics
will play a major role and both the Congress and BJP will have to
suffer electoral losses in coming years.
I don't think there is much to chose between the Congress and BJP. Both
of them pursue more or less same economic policies.The only difference
is that the Congress plays minority vote bank politics and BJP aims at
Hindu majority vote bank.It is a different matter that Hindu majority do
not vote as a block to a particular party.The fact remains that congress
party is not a secular party any more. It is dead with Nehru.
Why would throwing out an allegedly corrupt leader from the party harm BJP? When
he was in there, everyone was behind BJP asking for his sack, now that he's gone we
are saying that it's the end of the road. This would only mean that BJP took an honest
step only to destruct itself for the sake of honesty since the mass itself wants to
follow Yeddyurappa irrespective of his karma !
The headline is totally misleading. On the other hand the BJP will
bounce back stronger as it has proved that it does not compromise with
corruption irrespective of the person. it is regretful to note the
double standards of editorial. When BSY was in BJP, they brought all
allegations against BJP. Now he has left, there is not a single praise
for BJP but all praise for BSY.
What BJP should now do is to take support letters from all the 118 MLAs and advise the Governor to dissolve the assembly and face elections. Otherwise Congress should launch a no-confidence motion against the government and the dissidents will fall in line.
There is nothing to worry. BJP (Breshtachar Jagada party ) does not have
the guts, to take any action, with its corrupted party president at the
helm. They will drag on with some excuse or the other. Their great gate
way to south is closed for ever.
Better late than never. BJP will face a setback, but it will be temporary. Yeddy was a corrupt politician - good he got left BJP. The next step for him is to form a coalation with the Congress - that's where he belongs.
Your editorial forecast of the fading of BJP in Karnataka is premature
and unduly optimistic.
Yeddyurappa`s political stunts and blusters have helped the BJP stay awakened and to elicit its future plans and strategies to
counter and queer its opponents.Ofcourse,BJP has been stuck between
the devil and the deep sea.Yeddyurappa`s tapestry of hope is that
congress will lend its hands to uproot the BJP in Karnataka,in his
endeavours to dare his parent party.The continuing brawls within
the BJP has,no doubt,weakened the party,throwing hard means of its
subsistence.Though,Yeddyurappa has claimed that he has wooed sit-
-ting BJP MLAs substantially who seem to have oathed
their allegiance to him,will no longer benefit him.We donot know
what is the quid pro quo -deal between him and his supporters.In
general,beginning with a big bang will end in big a pang.His effort
to gain his lost image will prove a futile one.Yet,he has a strong
passion for BJP and does not wish to confront with BJP,though his
resentment took the extreme form of hostility to BJP.He will be a
flash in the pan!
Why is THE HINDU obsessed with the BJP and it's governments, be it in
Karnataka or Gujarat? I don't think the BJP deserves to be hounded and
hated - which is exactly what your newspaper is doing.
I have been reading THE HINDU since the days, when G. Kasturi was the
editor. I distinctly remember that THE HINDU of those days was not
virulent, was a newspaper to be read, adored and discussed about. It is
a shame that this newspaper has gone down the road of hatred, dislike,
prejudice and scare mongering.
Will this newspaper ever return to the days of contained neutrality,
observation and intellect, that it used to be? If one believes in
miracles, it could happen, some day. That being said, your newspaper has
fallen in our eyes as a leader, and a bastion of neutrality, and as an
example of excellence in journalism. If there is no change in the way
your newspaper churns article after article spreading hate, it will lose
readers - by the thousands, one day.
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