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
Swetha and Srilatha, you both need treatment along with education to read the story and understand, nothing will materialize by just barking
In the film boy and girl from different communities can do all types of romance and they can show to the whole world, where is a respected and fast money making business.
But in the real life even just saying Hello is a big crime.
Everyone should take care of their every such action.
This is India.
ITS NOT A SECRET THAT HALF OF THE POLICE OF KARNATAKA ARE CHADDIS & ARE WAITING FOR ANY OPPORTUNITY TO POUNCE ON MINORITIES.
SRILATHA / SWETHA,
Please visit Jacqueline & Smrithi and talk to them & then JUDGE. They are saying they left on their own will. We know cheddi police who target the innocent either from Muslims or DAlits.. & if we believe this police story who deceived people many times.
When we accept such made up news - I think animals are better than humans.. cos humans just rely on false news and accept whatever said in the media without VERIFICATION...
Ahmed Nisar must learn a lesson here. Dont make friends if U dont know them personally... Tomorrow cheddi police will target U for having friends with strangers who may have illegal activities.
Grow up boys stay away from girls who are illegal to you according to islamic laws..\every parts of your body will speak as evidence on day of judgement \"may allah guide all youths to straight path ameen."
@ SWETHA CHINNAPPA ...
SRIILATHA
IF UR BROTHER IS TORTURED FOR NOT INVOLVED ISSUE WHAT WILL BE UR ACTION, TAKE OUT THE SAFFRON CHADDI FROM UR EYES FIRST..
EVEN GIRL CAME BACK AND TOLD THEY WENT ON THEIR OWN WISH
i think the name of the accused police officers should be named in this article....
would also like to know wat the MLAs are doing on this case..... they seem to be busy in only ribbon cutting, attending marriages, going to charity association function in gulf
Police brutality deplorable and condemned. Where is the Muslim Central Committee and Mr. Masood look into this matter.
Totally Misguided, we cant see any hit mark on his body, police should interrogate everyone with whom they get know involved in this. girls reached home safely thank god, if this girls did not return to the house this same person will be protesting everywhere, so please media allow police to do their job, let him face it for whatever he did.
this guy should be punished extreme this s not enough. why he wants to chat with girls knowing the situation in mangalore.
Poor guy, He digged his own grave, keep away yourself from girls.
whats wrong with this police, in india no freedom to talk to girls. serious action must be taken against police.,
nowadays its dangerous to talk to girls through social media, and this boys also cant make them away instead of knowing the fact.
Dear Nisar and all the Muslim youths,
Does your RELIGION allow you to join any groups with girls other than your relatives?
\Then, verily! Your Lord - for those who do evil (commit sins and are disobedient to Allah) in ignorance and afterward repent and do righteous deeds, verily, your Lord thereafter, (to such) is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful\""
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