Falling from grace

The swearing-in of B S Yeddyurappa as the CM of Karnataka has thrown up a new political turmoil in the State; this could cause huge embarrassment to the saffron party that rode to power with the slogan that it was a party with difference. The Congress and other non-BJP parties which emerged as the largest parties in states like Bihar, Goa, Meghalaya and Manipur are now up in arms and are demanding that the Governors of those states follow the same pattern and invite them to form government.

Though the Governors won’t oblige, it would at least trigger a new political battle and unite political parties which are against BJP. While Yeddyurappa would be busy trying to implement the new version of Operation Kamala to win the vote of confidence, the Congress party will draw BJP into pitched battles outside Karnataka, especially in Goa, Bihar, Manipur and Meghalaya.

The Congress party argues, and rightly so, that all Governors should follow the same pattern and demands that the Governors of these States dismiss the incumbents and invite the largest party i.e., Congress. In Goa, it has 16 members as against BJP’s 13. In Bihar, RJD is the largest party with 80 members. Both are raising the pitch and also decided to parade their MLAs before the respective Governors.

They would not let go of the opportunity thrown at them by BJP avarice – ignite widespread debate what Governors should do in case of a hung verdict. Meanwhile, JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy has sought the support of CMs of Telugu states to fight against the BJP. With general elections less than a year away, the unfolding political drama could cause some problems for the BJP and could put road blocks in its Southern march. The BJP argues that they have done nothing new and there are any number of such precedents.

Fine, but then what has happened to the slogan of a party which would usher in a change? If the Congress had violated the Constitution and diluted the office of Governor, then why did the BJP-led NDA government, which has absolute majority in Parliament, fail to bring in reforms? In the case of Karnataka, it is clear that Yeddyurappa has to prove the majority, which means he has to poach MLAs from opposition camp. Can it simply say politics is the art of the possible and twist the rules, as had been done in the past? In such case, wither its ardent promise to bring about honest change in politics? In what way is it any different from the Congress which was decimated in many states in the last four years?

The fallout of Karnataka results will surely result in road blocks for BJP to surge ahead. BJP also gave a go-by to its policy that those who are above 70 or 75 should retire. Advani and Murali Manohar Joshi were sidelined, citing their age. How can there be any exemption, in the case of Yeddyurappa? Doesn’t it mean coming to power is the only aim of BJP? One thing is clear that the BJP has queered the pitch for itself?