BJP-KJP fight gives Congress “power on a platter”

Bangalore, May 8. 2013:

Now it’s crystal clear. The fight between the BJP and Karnataka Janatha Paksha of former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has given the Congress the reins of power on a platter in Karnataka.

Reasons are not far to seek. In some 100 Assembly constituencies, Yeddyurappa has walked away with large chunks of votes which would have otherwise gone to the BJP. And to a lesser extent, the BSR Congress for former Minister B Sriramulu also dented the BJP’s prospects.

So, the Congress has won on default. The party had a field day as multi-cornered contests are always to its liking. With just some two per cent increase in its vote percentage compared to the 2008 elections, it has boosted its seats tally by a whopping 41 % from 80 to 121.

Both the BJP and JDS have slumped to 40 seats each. Now, who will the Leader of Opposition – from BJP or JDS? Jokes are already making rounds that the two parties would share a tenure of two-and-half-years each. It may not be a joke after all; it could be a reality if both parties stick to their claim.

Be that as it may, BJP suffered a humiliating defeat. The party has itself to blame. A perception had gained ground that it’s tainted with corrupt Ministers. Its good works were overshadowed by infighting which saw the rule of three chief ministers in five years.

People wanted stability, and they did not want a coalition government for sure. JDS’ hopes of becoming a king-maker in a possible fractured verdict scenario were dashed as the Congress came to power on its own steam. As many as 12 Ministers in the Jagadish Shettar Cabinet, including Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa and Industries Minister Murugesh R Nirani, bit the dust.

The Congress party has been able to capture all three constituencies in Mysore city after 24 years. Congress candidates have been able to emerge victorious in Krishna raja, Chama raja and Narasimharaja constituencies. The last time that Congress had won in all three constituencies was in 1989. This result has been possible after Siddharamaiah joined Congress in 2006.

While in the Key constituency of the state Varuna, KJP candidate KA PU Siddalingaswamy, once personal assistant to B.S.Yeddyurappa, had given some anxious movements for the congress   and chief ministerial candidate Siddaramiah, in a straight fight   by securing 54,744 votes .

The KJP factor had worked in Mysore, chamarajanagar districts, but not in the sugar district of Mandya.

The major affect for the bjp candidate and former minister S A Ramadas, seeking for the fourth term  from Krishnaraja assembly segments in Mysore city, lost to the congress   candidate and old rival  M K  somashekar by a  6065 votes, however, the presence of KJP candidate H V Rajeeva , who secured 15573 votes  which  cost Ramadas’s defeat .

With the Congress now having a secured comfortable majority, all eyes are now on who will become Chief Minister. The choice is now between veteran Congress leader M Mallikarjuna Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah.

As of now, Kharge seems to have an edge, as he has wider acceptance, and it seems Siddaramaiah has to bide his time. Perhaps, Siddaramaiah may get the “gaddi” in the “second half” of the Congress rule. Who knows? Politics is the art of possible. Will there be a dark-horse in the race? Only time will tell. But for the moment, it’s “Advantage Kharge”.