VIEWPOINT: Yediyurappa's power struggle in Karnataka

Several ministers, emboldened by MLC H Vishwanath's revolt, registered their grievances against Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa government's style of (mis)management including continuous interference of the Yediyurappa family in the day-to-day affairs of the government, and therefore, sought change in the leadership.

Hyderabad: For BJP, the year 2021 has turned out to be politically insipid. After the unexpected electoral drubbing in West Bengal, the once disciplined party is confronted with crises after crises. Within a span of a week, political crises broke out in two states: Tripura and Karnataka. While in Tripura, the TMC wanted to score political points post-Bengal polls; in Karnataka, however, it's a different ball game altogether. Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa is confronted with a leadership crisis. A section of MLAs from Yediyurappa's cabinet led by MLC H Vishwanath have demanded a change in leadership, a big call considering the chief minister belongs to a different pedigree and enjoys mass base support across the state.

Change Yediyurappa

Vishwanath brought a slew of charges against Yediyurappa and termed him unfit to run the government. Other MLAs, essentially ministerial aspirants, jumped into Vishwanath's bandwagon to exert pressure on the chief minister for a Cabinet reshuffle. In gist, Singh assembled three factions within the party those in favour of Yediyurappa, those against him and those who seem to be neutral to form a Kiplingesque pack.

One of the prime demands of the pack is to replace the chief minister. BJP's Karnataka in-charge Arun Singh who dashed to Bengaluru held several meetings with party MLAs on Thursday to iron out the differences. Several ministers have registered their grievances against the Yediyurappa government laced with his style of management including continuous interference of the Yediyurappa family in the day-to-day affairs of the government, and therefore sought change in leadership.

The degree of disenchantment during the meetings is something that cannot be brushed aside. Vishwanath went on record saying, "Public opinion about the government and party is negative. It's not good." So much of information about the internal cracks in the party made way to Press that the party had to tell its leaders who levelled allegations against Yediyurappa to desist from speaking to the media.

Ideology Rules

Singh's meeting with 40 legislators, some including ministers who in different tones expressed displeasure with the current leadership, ended on predictable lines. BJP is a party that firmly backs its leaders, and that there is little room for dissent. Also, it would be difficult to find a suitable alternative to Yediyurappa. All said Vishwanath is no match to Yediyurappa's hold on the state.

In Karnataka, like some other states, caste and politics are inseparable. Let's not forget that it's the Lingayat community (that predominantly resides in northern Karnataka) which played an instrumental role in winning nearly 90 of Karnataka’s 224 Assembly seats. No wonder then, Singh snubbed the dissent subtly that they are being watched. He did not take the charges seriously, and described Vishwanath as one who's not well-versed with the party's ideologies.

But what Arun Singh criptically summed up is: Our CM is Yediyurappa. What AH Vishwanath said, he 'said in his personal capacity'. The message to Vishwanath and Co is simple and clear.