While it is wrong to give in to the politics of blackmail, the top leadership of the BJP would be far better served if it sought reconciliation rather than confrontation
For the fifth time in as many months, Karnataka’s angry old man, B.S. Yeddyurappa, has unleashed his “barmy army” against chief minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, the very man he had handpicked as his successor.
It’s possible that as with every rebellion that has come before, this one too may fizzle out in due course. However, it could also set forces in motion that could see the BJP lose its one and only bastion in South India. As matters come to a head, and the BJP troubleshooter from Delhi, Dharmendra Pradhan, attempts to cool tempers, it would be a grave mistake to dismiss Mr Yeddyurappa’s sustained and calculated campaign to oust his successor from the post of chief minister, out of hand.
Party patriarch L.K. Advani may believe that the presidential election is far more important than the annoying affairs in the state of Karnataka. Indeed, party chief Nitin Gadkari is said to see some merit in the argument that if the BJP is to retain Karnataka it must do so under the aegis of someone who can pull the party together, not polarised as it is now under Mr Gowda. With the party looking more and more like a house divided, governance is the first casualty. Mr Gowda, the well-meaning chief minister, has come up short against the non-cooperation of his Cabinet ministers who remain loyal to his predecessor. Not even one of the much-touted programmes to alleviate poverty and drought, have been taken forward.
Unless the BJP top brass come to grips with the real problem at hand — the alienation of the only vote-catcher in their ranks — they stand in real danger of losing their only southern stronghold when the nation goes to the polls in 2014. Or, equally crucially, in elections to the state — whether held six months from now, or as planned in 2013.
The BJP top brass’ refusal to give in to pressure for leadership change cannot be faulted. But while it is wrong to give in to the politics of blackmail, the top leadership of the party would be far better served if it sought reconciliation rather than confrontation. Mr Yeddyurappa faces a slew of corruption charges. Jail is probably only another bail plea away. But he is still a force to reckon with. Offering him a greater say in picking candidates for polls, persuading Mr Gowda to release development funds to pro-BSY ministers, and ensuring that the resignations are withdrawn, may be better than taking BSY head on.
Losing one Lingayat leader is bad enough. To lose so many in a state that could prove critical for the BJP in 2014 would be suicidal.
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