Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda has completed six months in office. He was sworn-in as the head of the Government on August 4, 2011, and by all accounts, intra-party differences in the State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party has prevented him from sitting firmly in the saddle.
The national leadership of the BJP is clear that there will be no change of leadership at the present juncture thus hinting that Mr. Sadananda Gowda will continue as Chief Minister for another 16 months — the end of term of the 13th Legislative Assembly. This assurance has, however, not really helped the incumbent Chief Minister given the nature of the divisions within the national leadership of the party and rival camps here making the best use of it. Having a firm control over party legislators is also another important matter for a Chief Minister, and it has not been easy for Mr. Sadananda Gowda to master this technique.
Yeddyurappa camp
It was in the simmering heat of politics in the State in August that Mr. Sadananda Gowda won an election within the BJP legislature party, amply supported by then outgoing Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa. Ironically, it is this camp which is now stated to be breathing down his neck. He was the dark horse to take charge of the all-important position in the State and despite the passage of six months, his problems are far from over.
On the contrary, it is expected to aggravate, with the Yeddyurappa camp keen on striking a bargain for the all-important position for its leader.
Interestingly, Governor H.R. Bhardwaj, who was firm that Mr. Yeddyurappa should go (ample evidence for the same are his recommendations to the Union Government in October 2010 and mid-2011) has been appreciative of the efforts of Mr. Sadananda Gowda to restore a semblance of an administration in the State, notwithstanding the differences over the appointment of a new Lokayukta.
Both the Governor and the Chief Minister have stood their ground over the appointment of the ombudsman, with the Karnataka Lokayukta Act of 1984 coming into play on the powers of the Government and that of the Governor.
Fighting a nexus
Mr. Sadananda Gowda has been spending long hours in galvanising the administration, but without much success given the nexus between the bureaucrats and the ruling political leaders of the day. Akin to their political masters, bureaucrats too are divided, with one section reportedly working to the detriment of the interests of the State. It is a known fact that only a strong political head of a Government can have a commanding control over the administration.
Little changes noticed
Incidentally, Mr. Sadananda Gowda has been more assertive over the last two months particularly after his election to the Legislative Council, as envisaged under Article 164 of the Constitution, since he was not a member of either House of the State legislature when he was sworn-in as Chief Minister.
Eyes on budget
All eyes are now on the presentation of the State Budget. The contents of the financial document will indicate the manner in which the Government will move ahead in the Legislative Assembly elections.
