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.
In a written reply, Minister of State for Home, Hansraj Ahir, informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that some media reports indicated that some known terrorists have reportedly been inspired by Dr Naik. However, investigations so far in this regard could not find any evidence against the internationally acclaimed orator.
Comments
My dear Venki...I say that both are not same as u said.. Do u know why?
1. Sadhivi Prachi always gives her hate speech. Like kill them kick them out of India.. Salman khan amir khan.. oh khan yeh khan.. many more as u know...
2. Zakir naik says Islam is pure rest others are not a true.. He doesnt says throw, kick, kill etc etc.. If you have any doubts you check from google bhayya and make it clear.. so dont compare lion and dogs! Lion is lion and dogs are always dogs it will never become lion :D
Zakeer Naik has more Fans - Hindus, Christians than Muslims.
His Fans are mostly highly educated, intellectuals.
He never advocates hatreds, animosities. He says truth which are wrongly practiced not following their own respective scripts like Veda, Geethas.
His knowledge in Hindu scripts are more than any common Swamees, pandiths.
Dear venki,
Your statement shows how much innocent you are. How you can compare prachi with Zakir? Did Zakir hate any religion? he is comapring the religions. He is showing what is in hindu scripts mentioned and what you are practising. Example, in vedas it clearly mention that idol worship should not be done. How many of us worshipping Idol? Did Prachi talk about Veda any time? If you listen her speeches it is spitting venom.
He has working, serving the people even with his all wealth, without seeking any personnel benefit. He has been doing it at least last 30-35years as I know it.
It would have not taken this much time to find any irregular activity if he has been committing such.
If does not need much time to know any anti social activity.
He is very much openly operating his activities obeying all the norms.
He is more popular in Europe and US, other countries than in India.
For some people it is very much difficult to digest his popularity and his fair activities.
Unfortunately those Sanghi brothern or Sanghi sympathizers can understand that he is rescuing them from their unknown mistakes.
Whatever he is doing he is not seeking any worldly benefit.
He has a strong faith in God, his sincere efforts will be rewarded in the other permanent life (which will be after death).
Really every Indian should thank God Almighty for bestowing such sincere person.
May God help us to understand truth and Guide us.
Modi's U turn....
TRUTH PREVAILS AND FALSE WILL PERISH...ALHAMDULILLAH
ZAKIR NAIK BECOMES MORE POPULAR....IN'SHA ALLAH
CHADDIGALIGE BURNOOL BAGYA
It is UNIVERSAL truth that he is innocent and just focusing on ISLAM. May almighty bless with you good always.
It is really good news for Zakir Naik and his followers, I was sure he will come up clean as I follow him last 20 years he always support teaching of Allah and Hadees and prophet's teaching. He never criticize other religion but compares to Islam whenever there was Q&A session anybody asks the question. He respect other religion.
Best of luck ZN and continue your good work.
Where are the saffron mfs who were barking and somebody please shit in mouth......
what is the fate of that Lunatic and his associates who have been shouting from the rooftop 24x7.? Is his Time Now come to an END?
Whenever a genuine Muslim targeted almighty Allah saved them, this is enough to realize a mankind that Allah is only a creator of everything nothing else. So everybody should say in one word that \Allah Hu Akbar, La ilaha Illalah\""
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