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KARNATAKA |
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Yeddyurappa wins political bout, Shettar is Chief Minister, and Sadananda Gowda removed
BJP “very happy” with the outgoing CM’s tenure, but replaces him in preparation for 2013 Assembly elections
By Imran Khan
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Karnataka rural development minister Jagadish Shettar to be the state’s next Chief Minister |
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Putting an end to the political impasse, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command, on Sunday 8 July, officially announced that Karnataka rural development minister Jagadish Shettar will be the state’s next Chief Minister. While party president Nitin Gadkari said BJP was “very happy” with the outgoing CM’s Sadanada Gowda’s 11-month tenure, however, they had to go in for a change of leadership keeping the 2013 Assembly elections in mind.
For the past two weeks, Karnataka was witness to a high octane political drama as nine ministers loyal to the Yeddyurappa faction, mostly Lingayats, resigned. They demanded that Chief Minister Sadanada Gowda (59) be replaced with rural development and Panchayat Raj minister Jagadish Shettar (56). While Yeddyurappa and Shettar belong to the Lingayat community which forms 17 to 18 percent of the state’s population, Sadananda Gowda is a Vokkaliga. Ironically, Shettar had been a long-time rival of Yeddyurappa, who had worked hard to ensure that Shettar does not challenge his position as the most popular Lingayat leader.
On Sunday, after a week of hectic negotiations with all the political parties concerned, the BJP high command finally caved in to Yeddyurappa’s demands, and replaced Gowda with Shettar. Formally announcing the resignation of Sadananda Gowda, national party president Nitin Gadkari said, “In view of the current political situation in Karnataka, Sadananda Gowda has handed over his resignation to me. There were no complaints against him on grounds of corruption but keeping the party's interest in mind, as a good party worker, he has resigned in the interest of the organisation.”
Shettar will be formally elected to the CM’s post at the legislature party meet on Monday. Senior BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh are expected to be in Bangalore to oversee the election. While it is not clear whether Deputy Chief minister’s post will be created to satisfy the Vokkaliga community, who had threatened to hit the streets if the CM was replaced, it is certain that Sadanada Gowda will be given a suitable position as compensation.
Sadananda Gowda who had to let go of his Member of Parliament seat to become CM was handpicked by Yeddyurappa, when he had to step down after being indicted by the Lokayukta mining report. Gowda who later refused to toe the Lingayat strongman’s line was targeted by Yeddyurappa faction. Incidentally, when Yeddyurappa stepped down over corruption charges, he had blocked Shettar's elevation to the CM's post and insisted on the appointment of Sadananda Gowda.
In the past 11 months since Sadanada Gowda became chief minister, Yeddyurappa made several attempts to dislodge him, which often led to public spats and name calling. The matter became even worse as powerful matths (religious institutions) belonging to both the castes threw their weight behind each of their caste leaders. But as the party high command didn’t want to re-appoint Yeddyurappa as CM, he threw in the Shettar card. Yeddyurappa knows well that, it was the solid rallying of the Lingayat community which helped BJP established their foot hold in South India, the party will be hard pressed to refuse Shettar’s candidature, as assembly elections are next year.
According to a senior BJP leader, “it would have been a disaster for the state unit, if they had let Yeddyurappa break away from BJP. The Vokkaligas are solidly entrenched in the opposition JD(S), the Dalit community is with mining baron Sriramulu’s BSR congress. Muslims and Christians will not vote for us; a loss of Lingayat support - that would have been the end of BJP’’.
For now Sadananda Gowda’s infectious smile has dimmed, even though the party has assured him a Rajya Sabha seat and a national position. Speaking to the media soon after his resignation Gowda put up a brave front. “Shettar is a good friend of mine, and I will extend all my co-operation,’’ he said.
The real test has begun for Jagadish Shettar. While he has all the reasons to celebrate, this period of peace is not expected to last long. Currently there are more than 20 portfolios to be filled. Looking at past experience any move towards cabinet expansion may again bring back ugly scenes. With elections due next year, he is expected to revive the party’s image which has been scarred by successive scams and scandals. However, how smoothly Shettar will be able to run his government will depend on how far he will toe the line drawn by his rival-turned-mentor.
Imran Khan is a Senior Correspondent with Tehelka.
imran@tehelka.com
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