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
Salute to such Gurus (teachers), who giving the youth real path and message of peace and harmony. JAI HIND.
\ SHAME ON THOSE PARENTS\" who support their chilnder on such kind of protest, for girls covering modesty. Evern those parents may support their childern/goons if they protest for girls NOT wearing mini skirt ?"
Manjunath
Before banning college. Remove hijab from sita matas, durgas idols.
Karan singh and mahesh. Sita mata used to cover her body, which is called hijab in arabic. We all respect her. I think ur going against sita mata.
Who the hell are these goons to tell us what to wear, what to eat.
One day they will tell to wear only saffaron chaddi.
Mother therasa used to wear hijab. Even sita mata used to wear hijab . . These people cannot be called as hindus. Worst than ravana.These people don't have problems with sunny leone dress. Sorry no dress.
Its good to see, that not everybody thinks the same way.. just wondering.. do these people come to college for education for better future or just to see who is wearing what.. who is talking to whom.. come-on guys dont spoil your future and become puppets of politicians.
Karan Singh, you ______.....
Mahesh and Karan singh .... If you disturb the peace in the society, both of you will face the same fate , as of Rama sena leader Jayant Naik who has been expelled ( Gadipar ) from the UK district .... try your luck ....
LET THE GOONS WEAR SAFFRON BIKINI.
will wear saffrom loongi and shawl,
its their wish to wear it, let them wear it, why u making small issue an big
ban this college!!!
All Praise is to Allah , The Lord Of The Worlds
Dear Mr. Well Wisher Riyadh, brother Totally shirk in islam clearly mentioned in Quran, Wearing a non Muslim traditional Dress in Islam.
student please Concentrate on your studies, because in bajrangdal all are jobless and uneducated.
this principle gone mad, he wants to fight with our any situation will not allow hijab inside the college.
principle will c u soon. big protest will take place
Dear Brother K K. Acharya,
You have said well. We need more people like you from your community to talk fairly and boldly.
May God bless you Sir.
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My dear Hindu brothers and sisters,
Try to learn at least few basics of few main religions around us.
First of religion means the way of our daily life from cradle to grave.
- Therefore the life to be lead as per the commandments of God but not as per our individual wish.
- Within the bounds and flexibility of the religion we can have our choices in dress, food and many other parts of life.
- As long as we don't transgress the bounds and norms of commandments of the God, everything is admissible.
The basic teaching of Islam
- Islam has come to this universe as Ultimate and the only Guide for humankind until the existence of this world. The God Almighty says this is the only acceptable religion.
- Therefore all the Muslims have been commanded to convey this religion to everyone, Unfortunately very few Muslims do this job and most of them don't do it. Therefore Muslims are held responsible for failing to do this job of conveying the truth. Muslims will face the consequences for their failure of non-compliance to the Creator's commandments.
- But it is not yet all allowed to IMPOSE BY FORCE.
If the people choose wrong faith, they are solely responsible with their CREATOR.
Very simple and straight command
Stand with the principle...
In hindu religion too its a respect to cover their head. the things is most of the hindus are not following their scriptures... U can see it is still maintained in rajasthan and other areas of northern india...
Dears,
Muslim girls are wearing hijab as a part of religious requirement. No need to make your face red. Simple solution. You wear Red shawl & Hindu girls can wear orange scarf. Muslims will never oppose. Islam is a religion of Tolerance.
Good decision.... allow the goons to wear chaddis, shawl, langotis as they wish ........
Effects of saffron poisoning.
Principal is rocking...well done....
Why the hell you want to ban scarf? Let them wear. What you are going to lose? If you want ask your sisters and mother not to wear. But stop poking nose everywhere. You people are a major threat to peaceful Hindu religion. Hindus are ashamed of these saffron goons.
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