The Bangalore Metro Reporter
POLLING TIME?
WILL THERE BE STATE ELECTIONS IN DECEMBER?
The tenure of the present assembly ends in early May next year implying that the BJP government can enjoy power till May. Jagadish Shettar has completed two months as the Chief Minister and is too timid to make his mark either on the party or the administration. He has failed to reallocate the portfolios of his cabinet ministers. The Yedurappa group which had monopolised heavy and fertile portfolios since 2008 are not prepared to lose their hen that lays golden eggs every day. Similarly, the other group led by former CM D.V.Sadananda Gowda and Anantha Kumar are not prepared for ‘light’ portfolios and are demanding equitable share of heavy and fertile portfolios.
Jagadish Shettar has repeatedly assured that portfolios will be reallocated, but, he unable to complete the task because of the infighting. Yedurappa also is not a contended man and wants the State BJP President post badly. He is also making covert and overt attempts at forming a regional party and wants to leave the BJP with the title of a ‘Martyr’. The dissident activities have been revived in the party. Then there is the Jarakiholi, who had earlier threatened to withdraw support to the government if Sadananda was removed from the CM post. The High Command had a harrowing time to persuade him to stay. Now, he has raised the banner of revolt and the other day, publicly demanded immediate re-allocation of portfolios. He had also demanded the Chairmanships of Boards to the MLAs by asking the present Chairmen who are in the post for many years to vacate. It is no secret that Jarakiholi faction has about 13 MLAs and is very crucial for the survival of the government.
Jarakiholi has already held a meeting with his group of MLAs and says that he or his faction does not need to fight the election from BJP ticket and he will see that all of them gets reelected. If one were to read his statement between the lines, one can be sure that Jarakiholi has already decided to leave the BJP. In the event of Jagadish Shettar showing the guts to re-allocate the portfolios, there will be more heart burns. Many of Yedurappa loyalists like Nirani, Shobha Karandlaje, Renukacharya, V.Somanna etc. are protesting the same strongly. There may even be resignations. There are also rumours that the Sadananda group may even submit their resignations to Jagadish Shettar, if he further delays reallocation of portfolios. It is just like giving Jagadish Shettar, his own medicine. It may be recalled that Yedurappa had made his loyal ministers to resign enmasse to force the high command to remove Sadananda. And now Sadananda is planning to repeat Yedurappa’s games. Whether one likes it or not, the fact remains that Jagadish Shettar government is standing between deep sea and the devil and counting days.
The Congress position seems to be better and it has a clear advantage. The BJP has tainted its image beyond repair. The naked struggle for power and the unimaginable corruption is a god sent opportunity to the Congress. The way in which an honest Sadananda was removed from the CM under the blackmail of Yedurappa can be taken advantage by the Congress. The prospect of Yedurappa forming a new regional party will definitely pay rich dividends to the Congress. It is alleged that Congress has clinched a secret understanding with Yedurappa for post poll arrangement. If Yedurappa forms a regional party, he will divide the BJP votes. With the prospect of a majority of lingayaths backing Yedurappa, the Congress can have an added advantage to consolidate anti-lingayath votes in its favour. The Congress now, apparently united wants an early election so that it can come back to power. It is also alleged that to avoid struggle for CM post in the likelihood of getting majority, the Congress high command seems to have offered sharing of CM post between Parameswar and Siddaramaiah for two and half year each.
There is another reason for Congress crying for early elections. It does not want the JD(S) to become strong. It is no secret that JD(S) of HD Deve Gowda is very strong in old Mysore area and is gradually spreading its clout in North Karnataka region also. The JD(S) State President and former CM H.D.Kumaraswamy are touring the state since six months organising the party. He is getting prominent leaders of other parties to the JD(S). In fact, Kumaraswamy is already in a election mood. The JD(S) has already held massive convention of Muslims, SCs, STs and is preparing to hold convention of other section of the Society. In the event of JD(S) getting a sizable chunk of votes, the Congress stands to lose. That is why the Congress does not want to provide enough time to JD(S) to organise and fight elections.
Interestingly, the BJP too does not want JD(S) to effectively fight the elections. A section of the BJP leaders too are pressing for early elections so that they can prevent JD(S) into encroaching its bases. Already the BJP is handicapped by the absence of Reddy Brothers. But, for them, the real threat is not Sriramulu, but, JD(S). In the event of any direct or indirect alliance of JD(S) with Sriramulu’s BSY Congress, the JD(S) will pose real threat to Congress and BJP.
Arguably, except the Ministers and other leaders enjoying the power and the resultant perks, most of the BJP leaders and total Congress and JD(S) are in favour of an early election. It is for the Election Committee to decide the same, whether to hold the elections in May next year or December this year. The EC has the power to hold the elections six months earlier to the expiry of the term of the Assembly. All indications are that the EC may opt for elections in December as there are scheduled elections in other states at that time.
That is all.
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