Karnataka: Change of guard on cards?

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Will BJP ruled Karnataka go to polls alongwith another BJP ruled state, Gujarat in December this year?
The BJP top brass seems to think so and is seriously considering a leadership change in the state before this happens.

This means Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda will see his tenure cut short by six months and may have to make way for a new CM—who will in all probability be from the dominant Lingayat community.

In the normal course, elections in Karnataka will be held in April-May next year. Party bosses feel a leadership change is needed as they are not sure if Mr Sadananda Gowda will be able to ensure a victory for them in 2013.

The affable CM has been able to win many hearts with his pliant and easy to approach nature but whether this will convert into votes, remains to be seen.

The BJP lost the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha bypoll— the only one held after Mr Gowda became CM— by a heavy margin and that too a seat which he had won in the 2009 parliamentary polls.

When it comes to Lingayat leaders, the party does not have many choices with former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa in no position to make a comeback as he is caught in a web of land scam and illegal mining cases.

The mantle could fall on rural development and panchayat raj minister Jagadish Shettar—a former BJP state president— who made an unsuccessful attempt to become CM earlier.

Political activity is expected go gain momentum in the next 15 days with a debate on a change of leadership likely to be initiated in BJP circles, said sources.

If the political uncertainty at the Centre over the President poll continues, BJP bosses may ask the state unit to go to polls along with Gujarat, they said.

“If we go for early elections, who will lead us? We cannot rely on Mr Yeddyurappa to lead us because of the legal tangle he is caught in. We will have to find someone else well in advance”, said a senior party functionary.

Cross-voting: BJP MLAs face action

State BJP president K.S. Eshwarappa said on Friday that he was in the process of seeking permission from central leaders to act against a dozen legislators who voted for contestants of other parties during the recent polls to the Legislative council.

Mr Eshwarappa said the party has taken note of cross-voting by 12 legislators. “The party taught a lesson to five MLAs who defied the whip to vote for Dr Vijay Mallya during Rajya Sabha elections in 2002.

They were all denied tickets in next Assembly elections. So, it is clear that the party will not tolerate anti-party activities”, he added.

Thanking voters of Graduates’ and Teachers’ constituencies for reposing faith in the ruling party, Mr Eshwarappa said such overwhelming support from educated voters was welcome particularly at a time when the party was facing a crisis.

“Henceforth, we will work to provide better administration during the remaining part of the government’s tenure”, he added.

Taking dig at the state unit of Congress, Mr Eshwarappa said, “The Congress has been playing caste politics in Karnataka. Our people will teach a lesson to Congress leaders.”

Cabinet expansion likely

Unlike in the past, the BJP is seriously considering Cabinet expansion by filing at least nine of the 11 vacancies in the Sadananda Gowda government while keeping two vacant, said highly placed sources.

Factors like caste and regional representation will be the criteria while selecting ministers. Unrepresented castes and districts like Bellary, Tumkur, Bengaluru Rural and Bijapur will get their due during the expansion”, the sources said.

The party is however worried if it would be appropriate to carry out an expansion at a time when Mr Yeddyurappa and his associates fear his arrest in the case registered by the CBI against him.

Some leaders admit in private that if the high court gives him bail, the expansion would be delayed as he may pitch for his share of cabinet berths.