Bengaluru, Aug 2: Within a year of returning to power for the fourth time as Chief Minister in Karnataka, septuagenarian B.S. Yediyurappa has consolidated his position in the ruling BJP to stay the course till the next Assembly elections in mid-2023.
"A combination of factors helped Yediyurappa to consolidate and stay the course for the remaining term of his office to ensure the saffron party retains power in the state though he is unlikely to stake claim for the chief minister's post again as he would be 80 years old by 2023," a party source told news agency here.
Since the 77-year-old seasoned politician assumed office on July 26, 2019, the first year has been tumultuous for him, as he had go through a "trial by fire" what with the party's mighty high command and detractors testing his patience in the face of natural calamities like drought, floods and the Covid pandemic.
The first 7-8 months of the term were spent in tackling drought and floods, winning 12 of the 15 by-elections in December to secure a majority for the ruling party in the lower house and expanding the cabinet in February.
Even as Yediyurappa was settling down to seriously govern after presenting the state budget for fiscal 2020-21 in early March, the coronavirus outbreak overwhelmed him, as the pandemic spread and wreaked havoc, disrupting life, livelihood, economic growth and development.
"While the emphatic victory in the by-elections ensured the government's stability till the assembly term up to mid-2023, the second cabinet expansion on February 6 posed a challenge to Yediyurappa, as he could induct only 10 of the 12 MLAs who defected from the Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) and won the by-elections, triggering a revolt in the party by the loyalists left out of the ministry," the source recalled.
Though Yeddiyurappa has been leading the battle against the virus from day 1 and initially succeeded in controlling it from spreading during the extended lockdown till May 31, reopening the state under Unlock since June has undone the gains, as positive cases shot up to 1,29,287 so far, including 73,219 in Bengaluru after 53,648 recovered from across the state till date, while 2,412 succumbed to the deadly disease since March 9.
"For a state of 7 crore population, the data reveals that the pandemic has been fought on war-footing to contain it from spreading in all the 30 districts, although there are no signs of it going away till a vaccine is found. The chief minister has been trying to balance unlocking the state and containing the infection," a member of the health task force told IANS.
With six cabinet posts in the 34-member ministry being vacant, filling them will be a daunting task for Yediyurappa, as at least 20 legislators, including 5-6 newly elected turncoats and party's veterans are lobbying to become ministers at any cost.
By appointing 20 party legislators as heads of state-run board and corporations, nominating 5 as members of the state legislative council, including JD-S defector A.H. Vishwanath in July and getting 2 Congress defectors R. Shankar and M.T.B. Nagaraj elected as MLCs in June with 2 others, Yediyurappa ensured that these lawmakers would not be in the reckoning for the 6 cabinet posts, as dozen MLAs are already pitching for them.
Nagaraj and Vishwanath lost in the December 5 by-elections, while Shankar was not given a ticket to contest in the by-poll but was assured of making him an MLC with another disgruntled member C.P. Yogeshwar, who lost in the 2018 May assembly polls to JD-S leader and former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy of the 14-month-old JD-S and Congress coalition government from May 23, 2018 to July 23, 2019.
Resignations of 17 rebels, including 14 from the Congress and 3 from the JD-S led to the fall of the coalition government, as Kumaraswamy lost the majority in the 225-member assembly on July 23, 2019 in their absence.
Though Yediyurappa led the party to win 105 seats in the 2018 assembly elections and formed a government on May 17, 2018, he resigned 3 days later on May 19, 2018, as he fell 8-9 seats short of the halfway mark (113) for a simple majority in the lower house.
In a post-poll alliance, the JD-S and the Congress formed the coalition government to keep the BJP out of power in May 2018, after the assembly elections gave split verdict and the Congress lost power then.
"The record victory of the ruling party in the May 2019 general elections, when 25 of its 27 contestants won out of 28 Lok Sabha seats from the state, reinforced the popular belief that Yediyurappa is the party's mascot in winning elections and an unquestionable leader of the politically dominant Lingayats in the state," the source pointed out.
When Yediyurappa left the BJP and floated a regional outfit (Karnataka Janata Party) in January 2013, he delivered a body blow to the BJP in the May 2013 state assembly polls, as the votes got split and was defeated by then Congress.
"Besides the party's high command, everyone in the party's state unit, including leaders and cadres are aware of Yediyurappa's popularity across the state, as has the wherewithal to connect with masses and win elections," the source added.
“We had invited Mr Sulibele as chief guest for the Rajyotsava and award event to be held on November 4 at Indian Social and Cultural Centre in Abu Dhabi. But, now we have decided to drop him,” said an office-bearer of the Sangha.
Comments
Ms Shetty,
Question is not about the cancellation of his entry , our question is ADKS being in muslim country how could they even think of inviting such a hate monger and how they even call him a orator and nationalist. such people are termed as hate momgers.
If you dont Understand see the Comment #7Mohammad Abudhabi.
Why Kannada Sanga don't take Quick Action.
Vidya Shetty, could you please explain the ground reality....
As we all aware this is a first try from rss agent to know the impact. Last month they tried in a different way by inviting local ruled family for Hindu Religious function and the chief guest shown his respect and honour to all the gathering and to Hindu religious leader. We all know and understood, it is the humanity and respect to other religions who are residing in their country. But few acting committee members of this function are from rss communal group with their crooked mind and bad intention to create problems in between NRI community.
What qualified peace loving NRI citizens are in UAE for their better prospect and future are well aware of rss communal group and their intention - which NRI 's never allow to succeed. If it is backing by any tycoon or what ever else.
Jai Hind!
thanks Kannada sanga.. for not allowing sulibele.. plz don't make this kind of decision next time because here we all Indians are together.. don't destroy it
Ms.Shetty
It is not hatred, it is just the sheer frustration that is spilled out against the incident. He was very adamant & aloof in the beginning despite our
Kind requests & reminders. It has taken so much effort, energy and trauma to make him change his decision on so called \great orator & Nationalist\""
I really dont understand why these hate commenters are still behind the organisers when they have cancelled Chakravarty Sulibele's visit . I think those who are posting comments neither reading the article nor trying to understand the ground reality.
Those who tried to glorify Sulibele should apologize. In its invitation Kannada sangha portrayed Sulibele as Nationalist Thinker and great orator.
Dear Sarvotham Shetty,
When you know that Sulibele speaks Provocative speech than why even you thought to invite him. you just tried to promote him and Secular minded stopped it.
i'm sure again next year you will invite some other Sangh pariwar leader. this will continue same way if your role models are sanghpariwar scholars.
Sangha Dropped Sulibele from Function. But this action is not clearing our doubts. Need to closely monitor their all activities in UAE and India. Because, how they invited a communal hatemonger to UAE..?? Question is still remaining.. should informed to concerned authority.
It is a known fact that Mr Sarvottam Shetty has friendship with Sangh Parivar leaders. I feel there was Sangha's communal motive behind Soolibele's invitation. But he forgot the fact that he is in a Muslim country. He wouldn't have cancelled Soolibele's speech, had it been in India.
Rajyotsava Award for what ?? What good things he has done to karnataka? Except spreading hatred speeches he has done zero good things. His mind is communal. I appreciate the decision of kannada sangh for not inviting this anti social element.
Great Humiliation and tight slap on the face of Sulibele.
it is not the good will prevailed to Sarvothama,only pressure from all quarters of society forced him to take this decision . He learnt a good lesson. My request to him is -please treat all kannadigas equally with respect, irrespective of their caste,creed or religion.
Still i thank him for the decision taken.
Good, it shows the unity of Kannadigas...
Surprise is how they thought of inviting him despite he is well known for his attitude and quality. This means for kannada sanga he is a noble person.
Dubai janeka sapna adhoora rehgaya.. Naren Khan.. pelase apply visa to singapore to sulibele
We appriciate the step had taken by the organizers.... we are not against hindus we are against communal minded people who divide us in the name of religion for their own benifits... there are many able hindu personalities who has done good job to society call them as chief guest we are more than happy.... dont call such type of communal minded criminals to such a great event.... who will spoil the taste of the event
All Kannadigas requested Sarvothama Shetty to Stop Komuvadi Sulibele.. even
After that Sarvothama Shetty Published The Invitation
That's why all Kannadigas were Disappointed by Sarvothama Shetty.
Finally Good Decision By Kannada Sanga and Sarvothama Shetty.
Bold decision ...............................
as said by some Hindutwa Bhakths .....Indian Cows are only Go matha ....so when Sulibele come outside then his Air will go out
Dear Office bearers of ADKS, “I wholeheartedly appreciate your team for positively responding to the secular Kannadigas request of stopping Sulibele. It is a great gesture.
“By stopping provocative communal Sulibele, the ADKS has upheld the unity of all Kannadigas in UAE.
In future also when you select the speaker kindly review their back ground in order to avoid such embarrassment.
Why these organisations are not calling and fund Mr. Hajabba who is recognised by world? Why these organisations calls Sulibele, Kateel, Shenava and other Muslim haters for events?
Why don't they call Kanhaiya kumar? Why don't they call Odissa man who carried his wife's dead body for miles?
Sarvotham Shetty sir, you proved to be SARVOTHAM in ALL respect and saved the Kannada Sangha Abu Dhabi. Strong lesson to hatemongers and anti-social elements who earns their bread by dividing people on communal lines. B.R. Shetty sir - Please maintain distance from these elements - the love and respect you earned from all sections of Indians should not be allowed to be destroyed by few anti-humans. Long Live Kannada Sangha Abu Dhabi!!!
very good decission by Sangha... Person like Sulibele should not be allowed to enter for secular people's programme who loves peace & harmony among different community... Soolibele is worst person who think about divide & rule by giving hatred speeches against muslims & christians....
There are so many good thinkers in our state who are more eligible for guests... Soolibele is not even fit as a spectator.... Personally i appreciate decision of Sangha for cancelling his arrival....
All the best Sangha & office bearers & NRI ..
\Be United against peace breakers & hatred mongers\""
Thanks Kannada Sanga and Specilaly Sarothama Shetty for Right Decision -But Delay.
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