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
Look at the Khazi,
I remember back in mid 2000 he was based in BC road or Bantwal somewhere....
MAY ALLAH GUIDE HIM TO THE RIGHT PATH OF ISLAM
Racing to narga.
Race to narga.
Foolish people.
Tussle for power and Money!
These Khazis and Thangals must focus on other issues of the community instead of wasting time in such stupid subjects, Dargha means business nothing else.
@Sini Mol.
It is permitted to enter women into masjid in Islam. In gulf countries there is a separate place devided in the masjid for women to pray. It is common in all the public places that provides women a separate place, like bus seat or in the a
when will Muslims abandon darga which has no place in Islam ?
Haha Fooolish People.. Let the wrath of Allah be on the Grave Worshipers who is not ready to accept the truth.
Allah Messenger (SAWS) you will indeed follow the way sof those you, hand span by hand span, and an arms length after another. Even if they enter the lizards hole,you will follow them. We (the sahaba) asked is it the jews and christians? He replyed who else!.
One more thing
Enklena boka niklena dever de difference ijji. Enkelna dever kulder...Niklena dever Jaider - Unknown
Please ponder!!
@Sini Mol,
For your kind information, Islam not at all prohibited women to enter Masjid. I can quote many hadith about this. Some of the Pseudo Muslims in our country opposing this. They are doing opposite what Islam says. E.g. Women are not allowed
Dear
Believers NEVER despairs, They already KNOW the FITNA (trials) of this ERA... and Most of the MUSLIMS never understand such FITNA unless they FIRMLY GRIP their FAITH in ALLAH. (They will never bow or ask with the dead or to get barakah from the GRAVEs)
BELIEVERS SOLELY believe & Depend on ALLAH alone.... ALLAH is enough for them. May ALLAH include us in that Group.
They already know everything is with the permission of ALLAH, They already know cos the Prophet Muhammad pbuh said that a time will come that the BELIEVER will be very FEW but MUSLIMs will be a lot...
This TUSSLE is for the GOOD... Most of the MUSLIMs understood the POWER OF MONEY. They REALISED Who is working for the MOney and who is working for the FAITH.
RESPeCT the Auliyas the way prophet Muhammad pbuh taught us. Not the way which was never seen in the times of the SAHABAS... and the 3 generations... We might fall into SHIRK (Associating partners with ALLAH) . May ALLAH protect us from falling into SHIRK unknowingly...
Alibaba Chalees chor
I heard that Womens are not allowed to enter the Mosque.But i could see ladies Walking around the Mosque in last Picture.Can any one tell me is there any different in this Mosque.
Im a regular follower of Dr.Zakir Naik where he says in his speech that it is permissible for womens to enter the Mosque to pray with Allah. As Prophet pbuh wife's used to go.But in Kerala Women are not allowed.Muslims follow same Quran then why there is two rules in Islam. Please explain.
Shameless creature.....money speaks....
Look at khazi's face he doesn't like to see their face (Elected Peoples) which means he is not satisfied with them
PRESIDENT FOR CENTER OF SHIRK...????? NAOOZUBILLAH.
Any credibility left with khazi Khoora Thangal?
finally its end, congrats to newly elected president do good development to the dargah.
It is very sad to see that our people worshipping the thieves.
Who is this khazi and other leaders in ullal? All these people are mallus. They dividing the people in Mangalore.
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