Report blow to BJP before polls

Jul 28, 2011 - Venkatesh Kesari |

Age Correspondent

New Delhi

Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde’s report on illegal mining could damage the BJP not only in Karnataka, but in at least half-a-dozen states going to polls next year. This is because the issue of corruption has already taken centrestage.

While the report has weakened the BJP’s battle against the UPA government on the corruption issue, it has boosted the morale of the Congress in Karnataka. The report has not only damaged the BJP, but the Janata Dal (S) as well whose leaders have been indicted by the report.
The BJP will have no other option but to sack Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa as any delay in it could marginalise the main Opposition in Parliament during the Monsoon Session beginning August 1.
Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Goa and Manipur are going to Assembly polls next year. The Congress and the Samajwadi Party have made corruption and governance issues against Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati. This will be their main plank against the BSP in the crucial electoral battle in the cow belt.
The BJP, too, will have to build its campaign on the twin issues in the absence of the Mandir issue.
The Congress has already made corruption an issue in the BJP-ruled Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Punjab, where the saffron party has been sharing power with the Shiromani Akali Dal.
It will be interesting to see how this issue could set the tone of election campaign in Goa where the Congress and the BJP are equal players.
As far as Karnataka is concerned, the Congress is optimistic of regaining lost ground in the light of the Lokayukta report which has indicted Mr Yeddyurappa, JD(S) leader and former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, besides the controversial Reddy brothers (who are ministers and mining magnates).
AICC general secretary B.K. Hariprasad on Wednesday demanded removal of Mr Yeddyurappa. “They (the BJP high command) should sack him immediately.”
Taking a dig at the so-called civil society group led by Mr Anna Hazare and the champions of a strong Lokpal bill, he said: “Why can’t they go to Bengaluru and hold a dharna to press for Yeddyurappa’s removal?”
The Lokayukta report has shown the ugly face of corruption, he said. “This is unprecedented,” Mr Hariprasad added.

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