MATHIHALLI MADAN MOHAN writes from Hubli: Call it lack of skill and experience in political management, or the manifestation of an authoritarian streak for which B.S. Yediyurappa is known, or just a simple case of lack of communication. But the twin hiccups that marked the beginning of the BJP rule in Karnataka were eminently avoidable.
Thankfully, the controversies over the composition of the ministry and the Governor’s address to the joint session of the legislature have blown over as quickly as they surfaced, with Jagadish Shettar agreeing to be the Assembly speaker and Rameshwar Thakur agreeing to read out his address before the majority test, but there can be little doubt that the two episodes have painted BJP in not very glowing light.
What is particularly galling is that the two issues came to the fore on the day the BJP’s national leadership had congregated in Bangalore to witness history being made below the fold.
Shettar, despite his senior status, stayed away from the swearing-in ceremony on being denied the berth in the ministry being sworn in and gave public expression to his sense of disappointment.
Worse, while BJP cadres all over the state were celebrating the occasion with gusto, Shettar’s followers in hometown Hubli were staging a dharna protesting his non-inclusion. They torched buses in the process, which prompted Congress chief Mallikarjuna Kharge to demand that the loss to public property be recovered from Shettar.
It would be interesting to see what Shettar’s stand would be if Kharge were to raise the issue in the assembly when it meets.
The omission of Shettar was not the only sore spot in the Yediyurappa ministry. It was imbalanced to the core and the approach of new Chief Minister appeared totally flawed.
As many as eleven districts went without representation. One would understand BJP not being able to give representation to the five districts of Chamarajanagar, Chikkaballapur, Hassan, Mandya and Ramanagara, where the party drew a blank in the elections.
But six other district where the BJP had done well, like Dharwad (where BJP had won six of the seven seats), and Gadag (where BJP had all the four seats), and not so well in other four districts including Mysore, were deprived of their due in the arrangement for sharing power, for which no reasons were given.
What led to Yediyurappa dropping Shettar, who was once considered as his protégé is still a mystery.
Shettar owes his rise from being political lightweight to the leader of the opposition in the second term, state party president in the fourth time, and as minister in the coalition government entirely to Yediyurappa.
Yediyurappa’s shocking and unexpected defeat in 1999 catapulted Shettar to the position the latter had held mainly because Yediyurappa was determined that his traducers in the party should have no chance.
Again the same reason came in way of Shettar being anointed as the state president when the tenure of incumbent president Basavaraj Patil Sedam came to an end. He was the automatic choice for a berth in the coalition government which was formed by the BJP with JDS on the fall of the Congress led JDS supported coalition.
Whether his exclusion was due to the fact that Shettar had been identified with the Ananth Kumar, a bete noire of Yeddyurappa, or due to vigorous campaign Shettar and others had launched during the days of the coalition against a cabinet berth being given to Shobha Karandlaje, a confidante of Yediyurappa is not clear.
But Yediyurappa’s rationale in offering the post of the Speaker as a sop to Shettar was not very convincing either.
On the other hand Shettar took the denial of cabinet post seriously and personally and considered it as a deliberate affront. His supporters went to the extent of accusing Ananth Kumar, his new mentor in the BJP’s faction ridden politics, of sacrificing him for the sake of his political designs.
Shettar, who is associated with the realtors lobby, did not consider the Speaker’s post as quite attractive and this would come in the way of his doing the “people’s work”. “Speaker’s post or nothing else” was his motto, as his supporters went on the rampage and sought to portray it as injustice done to Northern Karnataka.
What is intriguing in the whole matter is the communication gap between Shettar and Yediyurappa before and after the ministry making exercise was completed.
Yediyurappa could have easily explained his rationale to Shettar in person, assuaged his hurt feelings and sought cooperation. On the other hand, Yediyurappa chose to let the national leadership resolve the issue rather than talking to Shettar himself.
Shettar, who was reluctant to change his mind under any circumstances, could not resist responding the summons from the party bosses. He went to New Delhi, where he was given a piece of the mind by the leadership and was left with no alternative but to fall in line. The national leadership made it clear to Shettar that it had taken his tantrums seriously, and delivered a “speaker or mere legislator” ultimatum. Shettar meekly acquiesced.
Even as the ripples caused by the Shettar episode continued to linger in the BJP, the row over the governor’s address broke out. It is customary for the governor after every election or at the beginning of the year to spell out the policies of the government, but Thakur insisted on the government proving its majority before delivering the address.
BJP circles saw red in the stance of the Governor, since he had not expressed any doubts of the numbers the BJP ministry commanded, when he sworn in the cabinet, which included five independents, who had pledged their support.
Why was the Governor suddenly making this an issue, and was the Congress behind the move to needle the government needlessly?
Legal circles hold different points of view on the propriety or otherwise of the Governor’s action. Quibbling apart, what the BJP’s initial confrontationist approach with the Governor underlined was the lack of tactical political wisdom in getting over the ticklish situation.
Since the BJP had the necessary numbers on its side, why did it flinch from proving the majority as desired by the Governor? After the Speaker’s election, it could have done had a floor test and proved the point convincingly.
The Governor subsequently changed his stand after a team led by the Chief Minister called on him, bringing a happy end to what would have emerged as a thorny problem. But the two episodes go some way in showing that the BJP would do with a dose of tactical wisdom.
I think “Speaker’s post or nothing else” in the article should have been “Cabinet berth or nothing else”
B.S. Yediyurappa should do well for the people of Karnataka. BJP will last the full term. With the guidance of Bajpai, Advani and Modi Karnataka should be ably benefited with development. Good luck Karnataka!
I think Yediyurappa has started his tenure with two goof ups…
One was the Shettar issue. I really wonder what made him to accomodate a person like Ramachandra Gowda at the expense of Shettar. And instead of Shobha, he could have inducted Vimala Gowda, who has been with BJP through its ups and downs. Bad selection there.
The second issue is reducing the sales tax on petrol and diesel. He could have easily reduced the sales tax and said that this was a way he was thanking the people of Karnataka for electing BJP to power. Missed a golden chance to increae his popularity base.
Small things like this go a long way in perceiving the way a leader functions. Hope CM learns this and mend his way. Earlier the better.
if the sales tax on the fuel is not reduced i am sure the Government would not last even 2 years as it reflects arrogant attitude which will lead to downfall. if the elections are held today BJP wont get even 4 seats in bangalore for the crude behavior and mindset of the C.M.
it is reported some MLAs took the oath in the name of Janardhan Reddy.
Are these MLAs indirectly giving a message that Mr. Reddy is their leader, rather than the CM?
Rajnath Singh has given a call to BJP govts, to reduce sales tax. Not a single BJP govt. has heeded his order. Shows that BJP doesn’t value or respect its own party president!
Contrast this with the Cong President, Sonia’s suggestions to cong govts. to reduce sales tax, and presto we have delhi, maharashtra, andhra all doing their bit to reduce sales tax.
Clearly BJP president is on a weak wicket, and Cong president on a strong wicket.
Sales Tax on Petroleum can be reduced after a few days. No hurry. See that about 50% of Karnataka’s revenues comes from Petroleum which is making of all previous govt. Banning of Arrack has resulted in increase in Revenue from Liquor. Let BJP settle down and work it out. I’m sure they’ll do something about high sales tax.
PowerBehind@@
SOnia and Mehangayi Singh would have had pre discussions with their CMs what’z going to happen and how to play the gimmick. Reduction of Sales tax can’t happen at a click of the button. Forget the tax structures. it is something that has been there. Did you (and others) realize that a few days back. Did you ever complain. This time our PM has moved it smartly and trying to put the burden on states. States too have to think about Revenue. You dont want roads to run your vehicle, is it??!
It is so funny to travel through Kerala.Communists are protesting at every corner and talking against Globalisation…They didn’t even reduce the sales tax.State Government ordered the harthal even before doing any basic energy conservation and tax deduction….
It would be foolish for Yeddi to reduce taxes and lose vital revenue. When Cong has already taken the flak for raising it, there isn’t much to be gained by reducing the price by a buck or two. More so politically since elections are over and BJP needs the coffers for lots of other stuff.
Keeping the price high would also force people to take public transportation and reduce congestion. hey–and yeddi can claim credit for improving transit times by basically doing nothing! ;-)
Rama and Bannadabuguri,
I notice both of you have deliberately evaded by point. I repeat: No BJP govt. listened to Mr. Rajnath Singh, the president of BJP who has asked all BJP state govts to reduce sales tax.
This seriously undermines his position as a party leader, where nobody heeds his words/advice/suggestions. How can such a weak leader be a party president? Contrast this with Congress President, and see how state govts. acted to reduce sales tax, thereby benefiting the common man.
Rama says, that PM has moved it smartly. There is nothing further from the truth than this blinkered statement.
The central govt. has reduced excise duty and customs duty and thereby taken a massive hit of 22,000 crore.
The oil companies are facing a loss of Rs. 250,000 crore. Centre has bailed it out by reducing excise duty and customs duty, and also increasing petrol price by Rs. 5/-
The bottomline is: Central govt. takes the burden, oil companies take the burden and even common man takes the burden, except the BJP state govts.
Everybody suffers except BJP state govt. When inflation is touching new peaks and price of crude oil is reaching record levels, BJP is doing nothing to control it, even though it can do so in the states it is governing.
Going by Rama’s logic, if PM too had told i need revenue and won’t cut excise duty, today the petrol price would have been as high as Rs. 70!
In a nation, everybody has to share the burden equally. And not just the centre, the oil companies and the common man.
More importantly, Mr. Rama, you should realise,that owing to the petrol price hike, BJP state govt. will get increased revenue in form of sales tax. The state govt is expected to net an additional revenue of Rs. 350 crore this year – all for doing nothing!
So in a way, the centre has gifted Rs350 crore for the state, while taking a loss of Rs.22,000 crore itself. in spite of this additional bonus of Rs. 350 crore, inspite of the fact that inflation is running away, BJP is DOING VIRTUALLY NOTHING TO BRING DOWN PETROL PRICE.
Bannadabuguri says BJP needs to fill its coffers for lots of other stuff and therfore it need not cut sales tax. How nihilistic can one get? If centre also had told we need to fill our coffers and will not cut excise tax and customs tax, what would happen to price of petrol?
In other words, only the congress central govt/ has to make sacrifices, while BJP will laugh all the way to the bank – while common man suffers.
Some one should file a PIL in Karnataka High Court to make Shettar pay for the losses suffered by the KSRTC and other public and private organisations because of the stupidity of his followers. The man who could not discipline his followers on the street can never control the Assembly either. He is a misfit for the post of speaker. He is thoroughly spineless and shameless creature who after speaking so low of the constitutional post of Speaker is now occupying it when his blackmailing tactics did not work. He did not have a word of regret for the wanton destruction indulged in by his supporters. He should be put behind the bars instead of being honoured with the exalted post of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Shame on you Shettar
Journalists and columnists are expected to be neutral. But these days it has become too difficult for them to do it. They love playing the role of “rajagurus”. For example, Prabhu Chawla of India Today is Rajguru for BJP led NDA. Vinod Mehta is Rajguru for Congress party led UPA. and Matihalli Madan Mohan is Rajguru for Yeddy led BJP. I look forward to his suggestions on how Yeddy should expand his cabinet given that three-four more berths left. What does he have to say abut the portfolios allocation by Yeddy. There is no way you can do without “rajaguru journalists” in the country. Please show Yeddy how to win both the battles and wars, Mr. Mohan.
In the euphoria of the BJP’s near total victory, there has been a largely simplistic reading of the mandate of the recent Karnataka elections. Agreed that the BJP got 110 seats out of 224 seats. It is still a minority Government dependent on the support of six independents. The BJP has got roughly 34 per cent of votes, the Congress 35 per cent. The JDS roughly 19 per cent. The rest of the votes have been polled by the independent MLAs. Of the six independents, four are Congress rebels, which means that they did not subscribe to the BJP ideology. One independent was a JDS rebel, neither did he subscribe to the BJP ideology. (Whatever these five independents now say after they have been made Ministers by B.S. Yediyurappa is a different matter) Another independent was BJP rebel and definately subscribed to the BJP ideology. Looked from the first past the polls system, the BJP may claim that it was a mandate in their favour. But the very fact that they did not get a majority on its own shows that the verdict was not totally in its favour. Again when you add the percentage of votes polled by the Congress and the JDS, it shows that a majority of people in Karnataka still are not in favour of the policies of the BJP. This is minus the percentage of votes secured by the five independents. Hence the gloating over BJP’s victory done in the air conditioned studios of television channels in New Delhi and armchair political analysts requires to be taken by a pinch of salt. It is by no means a overwhelming verdict in favour of the BJP as has been made out.
A lot has been made about how clean the BJP and its leaders when compared to other parties. But a article in this very churmuri blog shows that the BJP leads with the number of MLAs with criminal backgrounds. Besides the inclusion of Ministers from Bellary district, whose “holiness” is known to all the people not just in Karnataka but also India shows the kind of stranglehold the mining lobby has on the BJP goverment in Karnataka. It is a well known fact that this lobby has played a big role in BJP’s victory in Karnataka and Yediyurappa has not able to control it. There are three ministers from Bellary district in his cabinet. But a former Minister and fellow Lingayat leader Jagadish Shettar from Dharwar district has to cool heels as the Speaker. There is no clearity as to why Yediyurappa thought Shettar was not good enough to be a Minister, but good enough to be a speaker.
Shettar, a well known leader from Dharwar directly elected by the people has to suffer silently, while a back-door entry politician (read MLC) like V.S. Achar, who can never win as a MLA is a Cabinet Minister. Is it because Shettar could have become more popular and posed a challenge to Yediyurappa, while Achar can never pose a challenge to Yedy in his wildest dreams. Whatevevr it is. Is this Yediyurappa’s way to treat someone like Shettar from North Karnataka in this shabbyy way especially as the entire North Karnataka belt and Lingayats voted enmasse for the BJP.
After the BJP govt has taken over, can Yediyurappa gauranteee that the Coastal Karnataka, which is the hotbed of communal activities will not be under the thumb of vigilante groups like Bajarnaga Dal and others, who indulge in moral policing. The worst effects of the BJP govt is bound to be felt in the three coastal districts and two districts of Malenandu, that is, if it decides to follow its sharp communal agenda. If as some analysts say that the BJP has turned a new leaf and it has appointed Mumtaz Ali as a Minister to show that it has changed and become moderate. The effects of the change will be tested in the coming days.
So dear Observer, after rubbishing the analysis of everyone else as ‘simplistic’ what profound analysis have you offered except recycling the known things about the results, the BJP, its leaders and taking up the cudgels for the wronged Shettar, besides a bit of ordinary speculation about the shape of things to come?
@ Ashwini
well said Ashwini. That is the real issue. The BJP rule has begun with a difference: those who have not been given ministerial berths inciting their minions to throw stones at the public property is really a new thing in Karnataka’s political culture for which the BJP can file an application for patent. Hope sense will prevail on them at least here after…
All 5 Independents are not satisfied with the portfolio alotted to them (Few of them have openly told that )
Eshwarappa has been given a portfolio with which he is not at all happy.
Reedy brothers are not happy, becoz they didn’t got HOME portfolio. (According to me, they don’t even deserve what they have got now… shameless creatures)…
Looks like, it is going to be difficult time for BJP.
Churumuri went on a tear eulogising the Congress. Now it wants to offer unsolicited advice to Yed and his one hundred and nine dwarfs. An interesting way of showing its disinterested nature.
bjp is a criminal organization, being the political arm of vhp. How did the Election Commission allow this criminal entity as a political party?. moreover its a north indian entity that hates South India.. The bjps first order of business was to cancel the expressway from the city to the airport. These criminals do not have the best interests of Karnataka or any other Southern state. Their sole aim is to spread hatred among the religious groups. These criminals belong in jail. Period.