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.
With the routes of the alleged syndicate stretching all the way to Nepal and pecuniary gains made by the couple Affaq Husain and Saira running into crores of rupees, the Delhi Police Crime Branch have slapped the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against them, the first such case in GB Road.
Comments
Mayank and Ruvan
Thank God these culprits are caught ..... they are just normal people ...they are not worshiped people by Muslims as in yours how Aashram...Nithyananda....and other Godmen runned prostitute institutions.....hundreds of pimps criminals and rapists are caught without burka and beard daily from saffron color goons and goonesses....so what will be your comment.....never saw it on board..
We are always with the law ...we never defend criminals as you do....any saffron criminal caught dharna protest and violence. On streets demanding for release...
Are these buggers followers of Shanawaz Hussain? As his name ends with Hussain.
Burkha Olagina Rahasya!
Dear #2 Mayank, mumbai
There is no Disgrace to muslim community. In all religion there are some people who do bad that does not mean that because of that their religion becomes disgrace. In hindu religion also there are some people who do this type of business and it is not correct to say that hinduism is disgraced. The problem of these people is they do not study and follow their religion. If people study the holy scriptures of their religion then we can avoid these social crimes.
If they did it then they must be punished severely.
Another thing the supply is based on demand, so cant the men control themselves, is their wife not enough for them? or cant they get married to fulfill their desires?
If men can stay away from illegal desires then all this crime can be stopped to a major extent. Respect the women.
Dear Mayank
As soon as the news comes .. Dont judge. Many times we have be deceived...If its proved right, then they should be punished.
But dear,
Owaisi is not a cheddi member. He will not voice for criminals.
Sadhvi prachi, Aseemanand, Kalburgi killers, Ghandhi killers, Nithyananda sex racket ... cheddis tried to save them all but did not get success till date...
I request government of india to investigate this case and if they are found guilty with this filthy act then please hang them in the public. They have no rights to live in this earth.
These people are to be hanged till death
The crime what they have done is totally Unislamic. So do not judge islam by people's name or appearance. Islam strongly condemn such act.
Disgrace to Muslim community. Wonder why Owaisi does not supply lawyers and fight for them.
why is this whore Saira Begum wearing a burka still when she is in the flesh trade business and exploiting minor girls . Is she still a follower of Islam ?
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