Hindustan Times
BJP vs BJP in Karnataka
The happenings in Karnataka where a legitimately elected chief minister is being sought to be replaced by someone else from his own party at the behest of money bags is a reflection of the power tussle within the Saffron Brigade. It is only the RSS intervention I feel that has nipped the conspiracy in the bud but it is obvious that it will take sometime for peace to return to BJP in the state. The crisis in Karnataka is self-created by the BJP wherein a section of the party owing allegiance to L.K.Advani is attempting to dislodge a popular leader with a mass base.
This very leader played a major role in ensuring the installation of the first saffron government in a southern state. Yeddyurappa is also a Lingayat, one of the major communities in Karnataka that stood with the BJP during last elections primarily because it had projected him (Yeddyurappa) as the chief ministerial candidate. In that context, the mandate in the assembly polls was as much for the chief minister as it was for the BJP.
Therefore to remove him will tantamount to disregarding this mandate.
The problem with the BJP is that it is in the habit of bringing down its own chief ministers. In Delhi during he five years rule, the party had Madan Lal Khurana, Sahib Singh Verma and Sushma Swaraj. Same thing happened in Madhya Pradesh after 2003 victory where Uma Bharti was replaced and the state had thus three CMs in five years. In Rajasthan, Vasundhara was never allowed to feel comfortable. Only Narendra Modi has an undisturbed tenure and it is obvious why. For a long time, no BJP chief minister was ever able to complete a full five-year term. Even Atal Behari Vajpayee may have faced this problem as the Prime Minister where Advani continued to breathe down his neck. But Vajpayee, a crafty politician nipped several attempts in the bud and never allowed anyone to dream about his replacement as long as he was on the center stage. His loss is felt by the party all the time. He is now leading a retired life and coping with several ailments in his advancing years.
There is sufficient evidence to suggest that the political developments in Karnataka have been fanned by powerful leaders from New Delhi. The plan was to create a situation where the final decision may rest with the Parliamentary Board, which could then be used to get rid of the Chief Minister. Why that has not happened is because Rajnath Singh was told by the RSS not to disturb Yeddyurappa as this would send a totally wrong message everywhere. The Reddy brothers from Bellary who are at the core of this crisis want their pound of flesh for supporting the BJP with their money power. But unfortunately, they do not have the RSS backing and also do not have the numbers to break the party. The BJP has 117 members in a 224 member Karnataka Assembly. In order to break the party, the dissidents would need 79 members. They are far short of this. And if any attempt is made to otherwise bring down the government, Yeddyurappa is likely to order fresh elections to enable people to settle the score once and for all.
The play in Karnataka is the replication of a similar play in several other states. It is everywhere it is the BJP vs BJP drama and the RSS this time has decided to play a partisan referee on the side of the CM.
The Karnataka malaise is also finding expression in many other BJP units and this shall continue till the present party leadership gets replaced at all levels. The sooner the better. Otherwise, the party and the RSS both shall lose credibility. When the RSS has given enough indications to top BJP leaders to step down, why do they continue to be in a defiant mood. I had always thought that the RSS was supreme and every BJP leader was very disciplined. But the way things are unfolding, indiscipline is a new virtue within the BJP.
(3 votes, average: 2 out of 5)
Loading ...Posted by Pankaj Vohra on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Filed under india · Tagged BJP, Hindustan Times, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, rajasthan, saffron bridge
Dear Mr Vohra,
I thoughtfully wish to say here that I somehow find your views RE:BJP quite biased . Infighting in States whilst in power happens within every party these days . Why to forget Congress ruled states-Maharashtra, Uttaranchal, Punjab ,Haryana etc.
You are a highly respected journalist whom I hold in a very high esteem and I always am interested to read your point of view but certailnly in perhaps a less biased way. I think you are being too harsh on a particular political party
with best wishes
Dr Gaurav Mehta
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Pankaj Vohra Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Thanks for you mail Dr Mehta. I have objectively expressed my views on the Karnataka crisis. When I write about other states, I will take up the problems there as well. I am on harsh on the BJP because this is a self created problem which has everything to do with a power tussle going on there. Brgds.
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there should be a credible opposition to any government anywhere in the world. in india ,presently, no party is fulfilling that job title of main opposition. bjp keeps falling into one crisis after another so has no time to pick on the government which it should always aim to be doing. congress is happily ruling the nation with no party to oppose it.
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I fully appreciate the micro-analysis carried out by Mr Pankaj Vohra,a veteran journalistabout the Karnataka politics of BJP.I find him completely un-biased and calls a spade a spade.It is for the browsers to form their opinions based on his analysis.
I would only say that in the BJP,at least, the public is able to watch what is going on! On the contrary, deliberations in the Congress party are never public.Perhaps,because there is no inner-party democracy. The dictator is guided by an ambitious and opportunistic coterie of politicians(euphemestically called sycophants).
A K SAXENA
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