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.
Comments
#17 THINKERS, Mangalore
Are you circumcising? Where it is in Quran. Hadith is manmade. Allah never gave quran to Muhammad. Angel gave quran to Muhammad. Angel is not almighty, limited in Power. Satan can overtake angel. Muhammad was caught by satan and the angel couldn’t stop satan delivering satanic verses. Your Allah didn’t interfere at the same time. Allah is from the 14th century. Where was allah before 14th century. Allah means in Hebrew Oak Tree. Allah means in Sanskrit Goddess. AlLat, Uzzah and Mannat three daughters of Allah Muhammad worshiped. Khayru al-makireena ! (S. 3:54; cf. 8:30) Allah is the greatest deceiver. In English translations purposely made it planner, scheduler instead of deceiver. Do Muhammad said in his own mouth I am the last prophet in the Quran. Show me from Uthman edited Quran. Do allah said worship me I am God. Allah never spoke to Muhammad in the Quran. Muhammad Hadith is the sayings of Muhammad. Muhammad was caught by the satatn and delivered satanic verses. Jesus defeated Satan, Jesus was sinless. Muhammad is a sinner asked forgiveness from Allah 70X7 times a day. Don’t follow a sinner’s Book. Jesus is truth and Light. Both the names are advocated to God Almighty. Jesus is coming again. Muhammad’s body rotted in the grave.
#17 THINKERS, Mangalore
Are you circumcising? Where in Quran. Hadith is man-made. Allah never gave quran to Muhammad. Angel gave quran to Muhammad. Angel is not almighty, limited in Power. Satan can overtake angel. Satan cannot overtake God. Allah is from the 14th century. Where was allah before 14th century. Allah means in Hebrew Oak Tree. Allah means in Sanskrit Goddess. AlLat, Uzzah and Mannat. Allah is a greatest deceiver khayru al-makireena)! S. 3:54; cf. 8:30 In English translations purposely made it planner, scheduler and deceiver. Do Muhammad said in his mouth I am the last prophet. Show me from Uthman edited Quran. Do allah said worship me I am God. Allah never spoke to Muhammad in the Quran. Muhammad Hadith is the sayings of Muhammad. Muhammad was caught by the satan and delivered satanic verses. Jesus defeated Satan, Jesus was sinless. Muhammad is a sinner asked forgiveness from Allah 70X7 times a day. Don’t follow a sinner’s Book. Jesus is truth and Light. Both the names are advocated to God Almighty. Jesus is coming again. Muhammad is rotting in the grave.
Dear Prem Prasad,
Sometimes when we learn from cheddi hinduism its not what hindu scriptures says.. similarly there are half baked knowledge in all community... Even if you are reading english translated QURAN.. Its ok. God helps those who look for him HONESTLY> never keep hatred. instead read QURAN to understand, GOD and his attributes ... Allah is all powerful and all knowing... He even knows what is inside your heart even if you are sitting in the DARKEST place on EARTH.. there are some lessons in the QURAN, if we use our intellect rightly... then WE have a lot in this LIFE other than hatred and Jealousy... Come prem...Look for QURAN honestly.
Please know that ALLAH created everything and he sent many prophets when people deviated and worshiped created things...JeSus pbuh was also a messenger of God. Muhammad pbuh is the final and last messenger of God...
Please check the bible where Jesus says worship me, Hindu scriptures says NA TASYA PRATIMA ASTI... there is no image of GOD ... But cheddis will drag U to worship their man made Gods.. anyway QURAN says Use your intellect, Verify what quran speaks... Think and think again and accept what it says...
TRY IT PREM.
#14 THINKERS, Mangalore
Do you still depend on Quran and Hadith which is a trash. III caliph uthman manipulated and edited it, destroying all originals. Muhammad was made to read 7 versions of the Quran and you have only one quran manipulated by the III caliph uthman. The editor of the Quran was wounded by muslims in the Mosque. He ran away to his house. He was killed in cold blood in his house. His quran was soaked in blood. 9/11 is nothing for Muslims. You killed editor of the Quran. What a sarcastic religion you are following. 110-220 and several other sects ahmadies, salafies and kulfies.
Talibans, al qaidah, al nusrah, lashkar toiba etc, etc., RSS is nothing before these Muslims beheader, killers and butchers.
#14 THINKERS, Mangalore
I read English Quran. Muslims said you should read Arabic Quran because allah is limited to Arabic and Mecca. 5 times performing Salat turning the face to Mecca is in Arabic all over the world. Who needs this Limited allah never knowing humans other languages. Read Sanathana Dharma holy book and the holy Bible of Jesus Christ. you will shun your 110 shia and 220 sunni divide.
Prem prasad,
The media has spent a lot to keep guys like U to think the opposite way... I can suggest U to read QURAN .. U will understand every query which is having in your mind. When U feel hatred towards Muslims. Atleast check Yaar what is written in QURAN (Muslim book)...
Dont depend on cheddi media (JNU twisted issue is one)..and zionist media(9/11) ... which has taken people like you as a playboy for them by keeping the masses in FALSE msgs (There are many videos which exposes their evil works)
Understand LIFE and thank God that someone is introducing YOU to the DIVINE knowledge which will benefit in your LIFE & Life after death.... The more Hatred U keep in your heart, it is like YOU are carrying a MOUNTAIN in your back... So, honestly I suggest U to look QURAN which mentions about the LIFE & DEATH and how evil controls those who are FAR from the TRUTH.
#12 THINKERS, Mangalore
Godse killed Gandhi and no more. Muslims stabbed whole India from the back and the wounds are not healed. Why the Muslims wear Nuns dress and carry out suicide bombs. Whole world knows who are the terrorists.
Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Egypt,Sudan's Darfur and the world knows who are the terrorists - All Muslims support zionists.
Prem Prasad
Please ask the Cheddis WHY they dont wear nun's dress when they bomb and blame...
Come on Yaar, dont think we are stupids, whole india know who are bombers and who are innocent... We dont need to tell who is desh premi and who not... But Godse gang will definetely believe wat U say.
#10 THINKERS, Mangalore
You are not less than a Mohammad bin Tuglaq.
RSS are in self-defense.
Show one Christian Nun in full dress blown herself to kill terrorists and innocents in the name of Christianity.- You are bankrupt.
Prem prasad
Have u seen anyhwere in the media cheddis disguised as muslim planting the bombs and the authorities straight away blaming the muslims and FOOLS like U accepting such false newss...
Might be seen in zionist intelligence ...
#6 Rikaz, Mangalore
Have you seen anywhere in the world a fully covered nun carried out a suicide bombing.
The women is a show piece in the Christian land, Islam's Christianophoia. Who knows she plants bombs anywhere she is willing.
when nuns wear burka and go in flight....no issue at all...its hypocrisy...
Quran never say wear burqa, cover fully top to bottom. Hadith is man made.
She wants to switch seat. She is uncomfortable with the co-passenger.
Abdulle is from a Somalian dissent. Cover picture shows white from M.E. All deceptions.
USA is not taking excuses like France and Belgium. Good that the women is thrown out from the plane – safety first.
shame on USA, the so called liberator and democracy protector......
Divine teaching says it is better for YOU to wear your HIJAB...
People with lustful desires alwz oppose such divine teachings... forgetting that they will face their CREATOR one day. It is cos of the MERCY of ALLAH that U escape now... But he will take care of such trouble makers on its prescribed time.. Until then U enjoy your devilish acts... which will have an end and that end will be very severe .... Look how Pharoah was ruling over the people but in the end he has nothing...
QURAN speaks about the LIFE in this earth and how ALLAH bring back the LIFE after death to justify that has happened in this life.. The same way HE gave us life in the first place
It has created problems around the globe such as Iraq, Siria, Egypt, Libiya etc...now they want to live peacefully by evacuating Muslims from flight and country, if you see president nominate Donald Trump's speech where he does not want Muslims to enter US....
For the second time same airlines committed this hate crime in a month
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