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
I agree with you but, if something happens to her family by these hoodlums, it will be a huge news, not only Karnataka will lose credibility, but these hoodlums will gain reputation and notoriety, which would be very unfortunately.
It would mean that Karnataka has fallen to a level of dystopia. international news, will have field day adding bad repo to our nation.
All life be it farmer, beggar or star has to be protected as citizens..
Actually the best way would be to arrest the people starting such campaign’s and issuing bounty’s.
And what about the police, law and order, constitution?
The movie glorifies Rajputs, there bravery and Valery is highlighted.
there is not even a single frame shared by both the actors.
And India currently has bigger issues than this to be tackled
Dear Gopal, "no offence but If you do some research before putting forth such statement
you will find out that this is a real issue
- here is a link from Hindustan time also for your reference
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/padmavati-row-haryana-bjp-leader-announces-rs-10-crore-reward-for-beheading-deepika-padukone-bhansali/story-SNu3xwOyMQmJU3fNzbSVyL.html
First of all this is extremely wrong from an elected individual, its not from a teacher
scholar etc it is from Haryana’s BJP chief media coordinator Suraj Pal..
It appears to be a diversion tactic,
so that focus is changed from actual issues.
Padmavati producer includes Viacom company which is owned by Mukesh amabani.
Now first of all this action done by this representative - is wrong lets agree to it.
As for fatwa ( not patwa) let me enlithen you. Fatwa means opinion in arabic language , So if you have an opinion it can also be called as your fawa in arabic…
Lastly there has always been a huge cry on any fatwa’s issued, I am surprised your comment meant that this fatwa went unnoticed.
But generally this fatwas are given by idiots who don’t have any bite but only barks
whear as if a d&* is capable of biting then precautions have to be taken for protection of the intimidated individual."please think with open mind and without color glasses, there is no need to polorasie everything
DKS, please check what is happening with poor farmers. Deepika is celebrity & she can afford security. When she has not asked for security, why the hell r u bothered. There is no better work these politicians just to show up in media & become HERO. Y is karnataka govt bothered? she is all time in Mumbai. Let her shell out money & get security. Why tax payers money is wasted for such celebrity who loot public by displaying movie and cinemas. JAGO JANTHA JAGO !
I understand films have been made in the past based on Padmini. Kamonar Agun or Flames of Flesh (1930), Maharani Padmini (1964) in Hindi, Chittoor Rani Padmini (1963) in Tamil starring Sivaji Ganesan and Vyjayanthimala. Wonder how these stories were told ! Surely Bhansali would have glamourised it, going by his past ventures !
At this rate, we will have curbs of freedom of speech and we will all need police protection. Wonder what is happening to the sense and sensibilities of our people. No tolerance, no patience with 'my way or the highway' attitude. This fanatical attitude will soon destroy the nation!
Who is D K Shivakumar? Is he Judge of supreme court ? what is his jurisdiction? What did he do when his govt was directly responsible for Suicide of honest officer like D K Ravi and DYSP Ganapathi? Shameless people in power
Any difference between bounty and fatwa. leaves me wondering. where are we heading
Hell with film Padmavathi. Karni sena and BJP should intensify protest. VHP, RSS, Sri Rama sena, ABVP should join the protest for ban
Looks like DK already have some clue. So raising protection request. Hope it is not from internal news where they want to do something to say something against BJP. But he never raises concern on Patwa raised by Muslim groups. Strange???
Add new comment