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.
Expressing shock over the hate campaign, false allegations and media trial against him in the wake of recent terrorist attack in Dhaka, Dr Zakir Naik, the most sought after Islamic orator, has issued a written statement to the press reiterating that he never supported terrorism or violence in any form whatsoever.
Comments
Indian Security Officials should soon bring him to India ....in case uski phatti padi hai. bring him hang him to death and then set an example that whoever wants to practice sharia, and loves writing fatwas.....justifies light beating, sex slavery ....and and justifies terrorism..will not live any more on this planet.
Modi, Vajpeyee & Advani inspired several karsevaks to go for suicide mission to demolish Babri Masjid why not prosecute them?
Smrithi irani inspired Rohit vemula to do suicide why is she roaming free?
Thakre inspired several Shiv sena to kill Muslims in Bombay why they are not banned yet?
The attack on zakir bhai were preplanned by idol worshipper and darghah guys. There is no difference between this group.
When Media publishing the false story on Zakir Bhai, These assholes were enjoying most. Because of Zakir Bhai people were moving from darghah committee to right path.
Dargha Worshippers more dangerous than chaddi guys. Zakir Bhai indirectly forcing them to close their dargha shop.
Indian media belongs to the follower of fake god. Nothing wrong with the publishing false story, because they are born to spread false and poisonous in the peoples mind.
Zakir Naik has become more famous than before. Most of Non-muslims watched his video and very soon they will accept Islam, insha allah.
Sometime negative mind helps to spread Islam.Masha Allah
Dear Viren,
Mr.Gooswami asking every ones passport in is interviews who counter his questions. Goverment took passport from Mr. Mallya what happened? Any Benefit? They could not touch him. Also he is enjoying in UK. Why gooswami is not activating hastag for this? Why this Gooswami didn't ask govt to take passport from Mr.ved prakash whom all the media shown enjoying with Hafiz saeed? Why our PM attendeded function of the Pakistam PM suddenly when they are sponsoring the terrorism in India? Why Gooswami didn't ask explanation? Why there is no Hastaq#? Why he didn't ask passport of Maharastra minster Khadse who is having link with Dawood? Can you answer? This shows how the media is working? This exposes Gooswami.
Viren Kotian,, Arnab Goo ( human shit ) Sami has to born ten times to face Dr Zakir Naik....This goo sami could not face Raj Thackery properly..... He is fit to shout like barking dogs in front of chutiya public....
Mr.Kothian, truth is truth..no one can defeat Dr Zakir Naik, he never supported voilence...at last true muslim always support peace, development and patriotism etc. ALLAH is great he helps everyone...In Shaa ALLAH
If Indian media wants to call all innocent Muslims as terrorist, I proud to call myself as Terrorist.
Now we gottu know why Indian media was kicked out of Nepal
Viren, Arnab like you, he studied in like your RSS school,The hero Jakir Shab will meet the stupid media which born from RSS dont worry.he will not be of afraid any one expect allah. time is there study well islam you can find out who is supporting terrorist, other way your end is also suicide like yesterday \ONE OF THE FALTU LEADER HINDU JAGARANA VEDIKE\""
Viren Kotian... Ha Haa
Barthare... swalpa nith nodu...
Surely in-Shaa Allah , he will come ... Whatever deception the cheddi media is playing will be exposed...
The Anchors are just after TRP and they enjoy Audience without INTELLECT jus like you and they FOOL U to get more hatred and they enjoy their rating. it will also be Temporary enjoyment ... time will show you guys on your deceptions... which will be exposed.
Viren Kotian .....Nana... maga ninna hane baraha ishte kano
Orator anthe Orator... media munde barakke dhairya illa. am waiting for his face of with nationalist journalist like Arnab who will turn his peace into piece piece kabab.
All sincere & honest people will stand with Dr Zakir Naik irrespective of any religion they belong to. People must condemn and take stringest action against all Indian medias for maligning innocent people's name and fame to meet their agendas. Media is one of the main reason for increase of terrorist attacks. True muslim will never ever suport any form of terrorism as it is completely against Islam. Any terrorist who is involved in any kind of terror activities should be given capital punishment to have peace in the society.
Whatever Power, Wealth, Strength, manpower the enemies USE .... it is nothing in the sight of the CREATOR who created all that exists... (Insha ALLAH - God willing) ALLAH will give ZAKIR, a Victory over this DECEPTION of Indian MEDIA... (Cut past, display information)
Zakir naik is preaching the CREATOR's message to the masses who have fallen into darkness by worshiping idols and other man made objects... He asks the people to think and ponder on what he says...
The public should use their intellect honestly to PONDER on it... Life is not just a play... The CREATOR wants us to recognize his CREATION and ZAKIR naik is enlightening it to the masses with his research and proofs... which is mentioned in the QURAN... A guidance to MANKIND not just MUSLIMS...
THINK, PONDER, RESEARCH before U JUDGE.
indian media is behind rating news channels,
they wil sacrifice anyone for their benefits,
how they created the fake video for kannayya, their need to issue a strict action against the media.
one who do this type of things
Action against Dr. Zakir Naik is nothing else but, a conspiracy by RSS. Because of his popularity, the ability to convince people about misconceptions etc., People change their faith for better. Some openly and some in their minds.
Only this is pricking those who are so called protectors of religion.
They just want to nail him on the pretext of terrorism, conversion or black money laundering etc., Anything.
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