Aaya Ram - gaya Ram back in focus

Mamtha Sharma from Bengaluru

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi and other BJP leaders campaigning in Athani ahead of the bypolls Karnataka chief minister and BJP leader, B S Yediyurappa, has much to rejoice these days. Not only has he cocked a snook at the framers of the Anti Defection law by weaning away 17 Opposition JDS and Congress law makers with ease,but also ensured that at least 12 of them won the December 5 bypolls on his party’s ticket.
The BJP too would be happy that post the Maharashtra debacle which left egg on its face, its “political acumen and strategy,” won the day for it in Karnataka. Importantly, Yediyurappa can now rule the state, undisturbed, for the remaining three and a half years of the assembly‘s term, having got the required majority.

Admittedly, analysts and critics would be busy seeking answers to the wisdom exercised by the voters in electing BJP’s candidates. Especially, as their counterparts in Tamil Nadu had shown the door to the defectors in the bypolls. The turncoats, deserters or defectors, for that matter, in Haryana and Maharashtra elections too were shown their place.

The results strengthened Yediyurappa’s position in the state and the party, considering that the BJP’s new standards would not have entertained the 76 old for long. Witness, for instance, the manner in which the party’s central leadership had forced Yediyurappa to have three deputy CMs when it regained power in the state four months ago, even if with slender numbers.

The role of money apart, the voter in Karnataka, however, may have been influenced by the need for a stable government, considering that while Yediyurappa had regained power after breaking the JDS-Congress coalition, the numbers at his disposal remained uncomfortable.

The voter may have exercised his franchise with prudence, having seen a dysfunctional ruling JDSCongress coalition which also failed to provide the much needed succour to the flood affected in the state. Perhaps, one could even argue that Yediyurappa’s declaration to give cabinet posts to the winning BJP candidates, while campaigning, may have played on the electorate’s mind as well.

This was also evident by the manner in which he exercised his franchise in K R Pete in Mandya, the Vokkaligga and backward community’ dominant belt, for example, to favour the BJP. In the process he highlighted his acceptance of the Lingayat strongman.

The results further strengthened Yediyurappa’s position in the state and the party, considering that the BJP’s new standards would not have entertained the 76 old for long. Witness, for instance, the manner in which the party’s central leadership had forced Yediyurappa to have three deputy CMs when it regained power in the state four months ago, even if with slender numbers.

What is equally troubling, rather worrisome, is the way in which the voter in Karnataka chose to place his faith in the “rebels” while penalising their parent parties. In the process, raising serious doubts about the relevance and importance, rather the need, for assembly or general elections. Especially, the ease with which some elected members can become “victims” of horse trading? Or, for that matter, easily fall prey to it !

Naleen Kateel It was also not uncommon to see him wait for long to meet Narendra Modi or Amit Shah during his visits to Delhi , something that appeared to be a pointer of the future for him. This was a far cry from the superstar that he had become after helping the BJP bag 25 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in the general elections. Let us not forget too that the party appointed Naleen Kateel as Karnataka’s BJP chief without even consulting Yediyurappa.
It would be naïve, therefore, to assume that these hurts would not have stung the Lingayat leader. To that extent the resounding win in the bypolls and the pleasure of reiterating his indispensability to the party, would have pleased him immensely. As would the manner in which he has put his detractors in place besides proving that in Karnataka he was synonymous with the BJP.
The icing on the cake though was the fact that he won the bypolls single handedly, without Amit Shah or Modi campaigning for the party.

Realising this, however, was not easy. Right from the time he lost the vote count in May last year, he was determined to ensure the party ‘s return with a vengeance. It started with extensive tours across the state as he traversed over 10,000 km. This was followed by visits to the districts immediately on regaining power this July.

Besides, he also campaigned systematically like a man possessed, holding innumerable rallies during the bypolls, staggering even his opponents. The Congress and JDs leaders also found their hold weaken in their strongholds, causing them acute discomfort.

In the case of the JDS, in particular, its survival as a regional party could be impacted now, following reports of some desertions in favour of the BJP ; a threat the Congress too is expected.

Soul-searching

This is not to say that Yediyurappa will have a comfortable time at the helm. Problems relating to cabinet expansion,while balancing the caste factor, would always dog him. Not to mention the friction that is plaguing the party with a section of the seniors clearly airing their disaffection in public. Nevertheless, having won the major battle, the chief minister may not find the challenge difficult to overcome , to go by his critics.

Yediyurappa’s rise apart, the bypoll results, predictably, raise serious questions about the effectiveness of the anti-defection law as integrity and ethics fell by the way side. As a senior opposition leader told Power Politics ” these principles were given a decent burial in the bye- elections.”

Not surprising, therefore, to hear the refrain that the developments would have definitely dismayed the framers of the Constitution with the Tenth Schedule, aimed at preventing Aaya Rams and Gaya Rams, proving ineffective.

This makes it imperative for all the parties, national or regional, to do some soul searching now to end the Maharashtra and Karnataka type of political games as otherwise we may see more Yediyurappas writing their own scripts to gain power, contemptuously.



		EDITOR'S MAIL EDITOR'S COMMENT CITIZENSHIP AMENDMENT ACT CITIZENSHIP ACT HYDERABAD ENCOUNTER REALPOLITIK BJP’S JHARKHAND LOSS GUDIA CASE FRANKLY SPEAKING COMMUNIST PARTIES POLITICS IN KARNATAKA PAGE FROM HISTORY MP CM’S ONE YEAR AKALI POLITICS CHANDIGARH DIARY DEATH SENTENCE FOR EX-GENERAL HITS & MISSES BOOK BAZAAR IRONIES OF HISTORY SIGNS OF THE TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION BUILDING LEADERSHIP GLOBAL BRANDS Issue:Jan' 2020 Subscribe Now	POLITICS IN KARNATAKA Aaya Ram - gaya Ram back in focus Mamtha Sharma from Bengaluru Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi and other BJP leaders campaigning in Athani ahead of the bypolls Karnataka chief minister and BJP leader, B S Yediyurappa, has much to rejoice these days. Not only has he cocked a snook at the framers of the Anti Defection law by weaning away 17 Opposition JDS and Congress law makers with ease,but also ensured that at least 12 of them won the December 5 bypolls on his party’s ticket. The BJP too would be happy that post the Maharashtra debacle which left egg on its face, its “political acumen and strategy,” won the day for it in Karnataka. Importantly, Yediyurappa can now rule the state, undisturbed, for the remaining three and a half years of the assembly‘s term, having got the required majority. Admittedly, analysts and critics would be busy seeking answers to the wisdom exercised by the voters in electing BJP’s candidates. Especially, as their counterparts in Tamil Nadu had shown the door to the defectors in the bypolls. The turncoats, deserters or defectors, for that matter, in Haryana and Maharashtra elections too were shown their place. The results strengthened Yediyurappa’s position in the state and the party, considering that the BJP’s new standards would not have entertained the 76 old for long. Witness, for instance, the manner in which the party’s central leadership had forced Yediyurappa to have three deputy CMs when it regained power in the state four months ago, even if with slender numbers. The role of money apart, the voter in Karnataka, however, may have been influenced by the need for a stable government, considering that while Yediyurappa had regained power after breaking the JDS-Congress coalition, the numbers at his disposal remained uncomfortable. The voter may have exercised his franchise with prudence, having seen a dysfunctional ruling JDSCongress coalition which also failed to provide the much needed succour to the flood affected in the state. Perhaps, one could even argue that Yediyurappa’s declaration to give cabinet posts to the winning BJP candidates, while campaigning, may have played on the electorate’s mind as well. This was also evident by the manner in which he exercised his franchise in K R Pete in Mandya, the Vokkaligga and backward community’ dominant belt, for example, to favour the BJP. In the process he highlighted his acceptance of the Lingayat strongman. The results further strengthened Yediyurappa’s position in the state and the party, considering that the BJP’s new standards would not have entertained the 76 old for long. Witness, for instance, the manner in which the party’s central leadership had forced Yediyurappa to have three deputy CMs when it regained power in the state four months ago, even if with slender numbers. What is equally troubling, rather worrisome, is the way in which the voter in Karnataka chose to place his faith in the “rebels” while penalising their parent parties. In the process, raising serious doubts about the relevance and importance, rather the need, for assembly or general elections. Especially, the ease with which some elected members can become “victims” of horse trading? Or, for that matter, easily fall prey to it ! Naleen Kateel It was also not uncommon to see him wait for long to meet Narendra Modi or Amit Shah during his visits to Delhi , something that appeared to be a pointer of the future for him. This was a far cry from the superstar that he had become after helping the BJP bag 25 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in the general elections. Let us not forget too that the party appointed Naleen Kateel as Karnataka’s BJP chief without even consulting Yediyurappa. It would be naïve, therefore, to assume that these hurts would not have stung the Lingayat leader. To that extent the resounding win in the bypolls and the pleasure of reiterating his indispensability to the party, would have pleased him immensely. As would the manner in which he has put his detractors in place besides proving that in Karnataka he was synonymous with the BJP. The icing on the cake though was the fact that he won the bypolls single handedly, without Amit Shah or Modi campaigning for the party. Realising this, however, was not easy. Right from the time he lost the vote count in May last year, he was determined to ensure the party ‘s return with a vengeance. It started with extensive tours across the state as he traversed over 10,000 km. This was followed by visits to the districts immediately on regaining power this July. Besides, he also campaigned systematically like a man possessed, holding innumerable rallies during the bypolls, staggering even his opponents. The Congress and JDs leaders also found their hold weaken in their strongholds, causing them acute discomfort. In the case of the JDS, in particular, its survival as a regional party could be impacted now, following reports of some desertions in favour of the BJP ; a threat the Congress too is expected. Soul-searching This is not to say that Yediyurappa will have a comfortable time at the helm. Problems relating to cabinet expansion,while balancing the caste factor, would always dog him. Not to mention the friction that is plaguing the party with a section of the seniors clearly airing their disaffection in public. Nevertheless, having won the major battle, the chief minister may not find the challenge difficult to overcome , to go by his critics. Yediyurappa’s rise apart, the bypoll results, predictably, raise serious questions about the effectiveness of the anti-defection law as integrity and ethics fell by the way side. As a senior opposition leader told Power Politics ” these principles were given a decent burial in the bye- elections.” What is equally troubling, rather worrisome, is the way in which the voter in Karnataka chose to place his faith in the “rebels” while penalising their parent parties. In the process, raising serious doubts about the relevance and importance, rather the need, for assembly or general elections. Especially, the ease with which some elected members can become “victims” of horse trading? Or, for that matter, easily fall prey to it ! Not surprising, therefore, to hear the refrain that the developments would have definitely dismayed the framers of the Constitution with the Tenth Schedule, aimed at preventing Aaya Rams and Gaya Rams, proving ineffective. This makes it imperative for all the parties, national or regional, to do some soul searching now to end the Maharashtra and Karnataka type of political games as otherwise we may see more Yediyurappas writing their own scripts to gain power, contemptuously.