The drama surrounding the Karnataka politics came to an end yesterday when BJP leader BS Yediyurappa (earlier, Yeddyurappa) took oath as the chief minister. During the 2018 Vidhan Soudha election, he had been robbed of his rightful and fair chance to be the CM of the state, due to the opportunistic alliance of Congress and JD(S). Now, he has proved that he is indeed the one true leader.
On Tuesday, the Congress-JD(S) alliance lost the trust vote in the Karnataka Assembly. Ever since the 15 MLAs from the alliance had resigned, the inevitability of the falling of the government was evident to all; except maybe Kumaraswamy. The drama that surrounded the whole event portrayed how the ruling government in the state was astounded by the decision and how they did everything possible to ensure that the government won’t budge. However, the disgruntled MLAs were adamant in their own right and had stuck to their decision.
Before taking the oath, Yediyurappa stated, “We have to show the difference in the administration. There will be no politics of vengeance and I will take the opposition along.” He further added, “It is the victory of democracy. People were fed up with the Kumaraswamy government. I want to assure people of Karnataka that a new era of development will start now.”
The choice of Yediyurappa as CM is a natural one, mostly because he is a wily leader who has fought against all odds, the ups and downs in a political career and has always come out stronger.
His political started back in 1983 when he was elected as a member of the legislative assembly for the first time. The ambitious and popular leader went on to become a powerful BJP leader in the state, taking charge as the party’s state president in 1988. He has had 4 full cycles as the Chief Minister in Karnataka.
During the Assembly elections of 2018, BJP led by Yediyurappa had been the most popular choice with 104 seats but still was unable to reach the majority mark in the 222 Vidhan Soudha seats in the state. Thereupon, Congress and Janata Dal (Secular), in an attempt to quickly seize power, had announced their post-poll alliance. Long story cut short, Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala’s decision to invite B.S. Yediyurappa to form a government in the state had been rendered irrelevant as after 2 short days, his government was vacated after losing the floor test.
Karma completed its circle after 14 months. Yediyurappa bid his time and waited, for he knew one day would arise when his popularity would rise above everything else and that is what happened. The people and even their own MLAs rejected the alliance and Yediyurappa came out to be the most popular leader in the state.
Partly the reason for Yediyurappa’s popularity is also the fact that BJP lacks a second line of leadership in the state. The lack of leadership is due to the fact that BJP has been in the opposition for a long time. The last time BJP came to power had been over 10 years ago, in 2008. The state cabinet is the position in which state leaders prove their mettle and earn their wings but since BJP has been out of power in the state since a long time, the second line of leadership, preferably from the newer generation could not be groomed.
This wasn’t always the case. Until a year ago, BJP had a strong alternative to Yediyurappa in the form of senior leader Ananth Kumar. Unfortunately, he died relatively young last year, at the age of 59 years due to pancreatic cancer and other complications. Kumar served as the Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Parliamentary Affairs in the Modi government. His unfortunate demise highlighted the lack of a second line of leadership in the BJP state unit and thus, led to Yediyurappa becoming the only choice.
Able, popular and ambitious leader that he is, Yediyurappa is 76 years of age. By the end of his term as the chief minister, Yediyurappa will be nearing 80 and is unlikely to continue for a second term at that age. The need for preparing a second line of leadership, hence, becomes paramount.
The mandate has proven the unwavering support for the BJP in the state, which is here to stay. The preparation should be focused on the next term and for that, it is essential that the state unit should groom the next line of leaders. Usually, the dynastic politics of the country just pick the next successors in line, as has been done by JD(S) in the state. However, since BJP is a party of ‘kaamdars’ and not ‘naamdars’, it is time for the party to mentor and groom the young leaders and create a bench strength rivaling other states.