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
True Muslim Even in the age of 80 fights like an tiger. But RSS fellow in the age of 20s needs a group to attack on elder muslims.
RSS needs bunch of coward sena to attack an old man or woman. It shows that they are not only coward but impotent too.
They are coward because they are the followers of Rama, one who used monkey sena to save his wife from ravana.
How they can respect?they have pros.childreans they are living in bhat house.bhat is there father.chaddis are animal.
better it is not to live than to live like a coward.
80 years old one man against a bunch of cowards proves it all.
this is an Inhuman act. The culprits should be punished.
Oh shivaji babu, I just pray that your parents should not face same problem.. Then who will you blame? Family members? YOurself or any other! every dog has a day my dear babu.
seriously inhuman act, beating elders not good.
these are not anti social these are terrorists and anti national islamophobes who are terrorising the common man.
Dear Shivaji,
From where you received that the aged couples are attacked by relatives? If it is true its inhuman. However, no relatives will attack the old couples such way where they cannot bear the pain. No media reported that the attack was by relatives, you have to clarify the source of your news.
This is not new in DK, RSS thugs and police attack aged Muslims people at thier home or outside. There are ample evidence, RSS thugs dressed in Police uniforms attacked homes in Ullala and other places in Mangalore recently. A MLC from BJP admitted that 60% RSS thugs are in Police force in Mangalore.
Kalladka is Communally sensitive since a long time, Police department sincerely work in this area to bring the peace.
SToP bending & bowing to the CHEDDIS. Dear authorities they are dragging you to HELL by portraying their FALSE history to U. Recognise the EVIL & GOOD and Support the GOOD ...
God has given you power of authority to protect the masses from such EVILS. One day U will need to answer for the injustice done to the innocent... PONDER & THINK before U encourage and support CHEDDis.
Muslims Should UNITE, its getting out of control.
The DEVILS dont recognise even elderly people & women. They attack like COWARDS...
To the HONEST hindus, dont put the AXE in your leg by supporting these devils..The one who gave SOUL (LIFE) will question when he takes back our LIFE ... JOIN hands with the secular people and stop supporting the LIARs who deceive YOU by putting FAKE FEAR to unrest the SOCIETY.
Bring Anupam Kher to Learn what is intolerance and how its spreading in India.
Anupam visit Coastal Karnataka Do some Justice To your AWARD as you JUST bagged in for doing Nothing for the Country.
simply blaming particular group, this act is done by his own family for property dispute.
really terrible, which religion is this which s not respecting elder one.
must punish the culprit. i request police to nab this goons very soon because of some bloody all society must bend their knee.
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