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.
The ultimate goal of the BCCI is overall development of Beary community and thereby contributing to the growth of the nation, says Haji S M Rasheed, who was unanimously chosen the founder president of the elite body in its first formal meeting in which a large number of dignitaries took part.
Comments
Good Job, Wish you all the best. Hope receive a sincere and honesty service to the community..
Why not ???? Muslim Chamber of Commerce????? only bearys are muslims???
Well done Mr.S.M.Rasheed and team forming a unique Beary Chamber of Commerce & Industry in coastal Karnataka region.
I appreciate and applauds wholeheartedly for the noble work to the welfare and progress of our community.
All the best. May Allah bless the forum.
Masha Allah good initiative by community leaders. A consortium effort is always good for the common cause of the community. The forum must strive for interest free banking ,creating socials assets such as huge marriage halls for community the revenues of which could be shared between promoters and for community work . Muslim marriage
Congratulation to all BCCI office bearers and members.
This is the first time in D.K. and Udupi Dist a unique forum of Beary Chamber of Commerce and Industry formed.
May Bless the this forum and insha allah our community will get maximum benefit to alleviate their finance and social problems.
Masha Allah,timely move,Let community benefit from BCCI.
All the founders are committed social workers and connected with one or other philanthropic organization.
May Allah shower his blessings and success on this noble project
Aameen
Masha Allah very good initiative.
Though the name is Beary,i understand that it will lend support to Urdu speakers too.as there are other organisations like Beary Nikah Helpline and Beary Job Helpline where Bearys and Urdu speakers offer support and take support.In shaa Allah hope this organisation makes every needy muslim and Technocrat,Best businessmen scientists..same time a very good muslim Human.
A wonderful move by the elite Bearys. Hope BCCI will be play a crucial role in the overall development of Beary community.
it is better to name Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industry than Bearys, i feel.
LATE BUT GOOD MOVE.
MASHA ALLAH
Masha allah good move by the business fraternity, Philanthropists and social workers to form chamber of commerce for the benefit of Muslim community to grow in the business field by guiding and sharing the expertise. It is better to be named as Muslim Chamber of Commerce. The purpose of this forum should be fulfilled. May Allah bless with every success. (Ameen)
Add new comment