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
Real face of India
Hats of to Bahrain PM. Thanks for helping poor. Our PM is busy with Foriegn Trips. Once he is back he will start Mann Ki Bath. No time.
@ Real Indian - Tired of hearing such jokes.. Please kuch aur sunao bhakt :D Why we cant blame praveen cowgadiya?
Dont blame Modi, he has given crores of rupees of Indian tax payers money to Orissa, blame the despot naveen patnaik, pseudo communist, who has failed his people
And bhainchod suar ka pilla has no time for the poor ! Must b preparing for another selfie with his g@nd towards a big black mamba ! Saaala suar busy in monkey baat !
If anyone had watched the \Ekees thopon ki saalami\" movie, this is what should be done to the Politicians and government officials when they pass away. Human nature seems to be disappearing from the Indian psyche. And should I feel proud to be an Indian?"
PM will say what can I do, it's CM work.
CM will say what can I do, it's hospital responsibility.
Hospital will say what can they do, no one asked them for vehicle.
When those sitting in responsible chairs cannot do anything, obviously someone somewhere may act. This time its Bahrain PM.
Our PM is very busy man....
I think Sushma Madam would be a better choice for PM than Moddi sir... heard she is very active in responding.... She is responding to all tweets... keep it up madam...
Slap on CMs face, still he is showing his arrogance, his response in bangalore was \i will look into it\" doest know that as the leader of his state, he carries great responsibility, even the prince of the royal family of bahrain responded, now the whole world sees what a despotic place Orissa is and how degraded it has become, inspite of crores of rupees of central assistance, hope he resigns in disgrace"
People dont help when someone is alive, what can you expect from us to do, once a person dies.
All the people feeling bad about this situation, would have passed by this poor person, without helping him. Words and Action dont rhyme in this nation.
The poor/under privileged are living a life of death and the dead have no place to go.
This incident is no ones mistake, its the fate of poor people.
No one is responsible. No one.
These people are considered Dalits & OBC so not a priority for any political party until elections....Forget PM , his hands are messy with Kashmiri pulao on his plate , ...why is the Odisha CM and even Home ministry silent ?
Talking of \HELL\" ......to this family, hell ...is here at home !! sad
If RSS gets involved with helping the communities here......they'll surely get their Conversions quota too...."
Dead people won't vote. Why should politicians care for dead people !
Ask Modiji about his mann ki baat about this incident. Acche Din are only for Ambanis, Adanis etc. For people like Dana Majhi acche din is only in dreams.
This is what Islam Teaches. Muslims do not judge people by their CASTE or COLOUR. Try to learn about Islam before its too late. Because a day will come where you have to bit your own finger for not realizing mistakes and for not accepting the the TRUE religion.
tax will be charged for the donation by Indian govt.. That's for sure.. Shame, a big shame..
all issues and problems in odisha is due to present cm navin patnaik never questioned.un opposed and un married like feku smooth operator. if his close friend wants to help his friend all his unquestioned support in lok sabha by his obedient mps. since neaeen problems are personnel. only aasaram bapu can help him with his resources and bapus self deep knowledge, feku should go out of the way and help naveen. may be he can send bapu with his full team on parole to kalinga emperor patnaik.
bharath mata ki jai
lower caste, Muslim and tribal are continued to be oppressed and suffer in a country where seventh richest people live. Exploitation of lower caste is divine and is authorised in the holy books too. Kind gesture by a muslim ruler explains how 500 years back most of the low caste got converted to islam to live and die in dignity.
Thank you his highness.
Is the Collector of Kalahandi is not a family man? How did he ask such question when the poor man was carrying the dead body of his wife along with her minor daughter from the bed of Medical. Thanks to His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa,Bahraini for his generosity. In our country, no one is looking after the interest of poor.
If Modi has paid 15 laks as promised, then Dana Majhi, would not have seen this situation ....
Prime Minister from a Tiny muslim country feels the humanity.PM of our billion people & other rich tycoons of country never bothers for humanity.
But , Islam show always the humanity.
Dear Naren may he is from bangladesh ?
In reality it is the responsibility of the authorities to look every citizens of that country... But as the news spread in social media, all the political party who should have been working prior to the incident are now becoming active and taking the lead in misguiding the people....
People should understand the reality and elect the leaders who are working in your area... its time that WE people should unite and work for the betterment of our society and reject those who try to disrupt the society... Recognise the leaders who work in your area and prepare for it.
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