The political developments of the last few days emphatically underscore that in the politics of the BJP, B.S. Yeddyurappa matters. But whether he continues to do so, is the question.
In the recent past, he has been at the centre of many a raging political storm and has fiercely attempted to reassert his political presence. In spite of facing many a legal and political setback, he has fought to ensure he is not side-lined in any political calculation. Even when out of power and facing a slew of corruption cases, he has managed to retain the support of his loyalists both within the Council of Ministers and the legislature party.
In any other party and in any other context, the statements made by Yeddyurappa against the triumvirate he sees as opposed to him – Sadananda Gowda, chief minister: Eshwarappa, state party president and Ananth Kumar, the national general secretary, would have invited a minimal censure or even suspension/expulsion from the party.
From the time that the BJP central leadership announced that Yeddyurappa was stepping down as CM, he has made it a point to assert his presence. He chose to resign when he wanted to, he ensured that his successor was a person of his choice, when he realised his successor was not toeing his line, he demanded that he be made Chief Minister again. Clearly, he cannot be ignored by the party.
Yeddyurappa’s praise of Sonia Gandhi while lambasting his opponents within the party in the State showed a leader pushed to the wall, caught in a dilemma - he cannot quit the party as then he will be out on his own, while the number of supporters who quit the party with him may not be many. Is he hoping that provocative statements would force the party to take action against him so that he can go to town claiming that he was unjustly treated? As an influential leader with the powerful Lingayat community, the BJP is loth to let him go. A significant chunk of MLAs from Northern Karnataka belong to this community. National Election study (NES) data reveals that in the 2008 Assembly elections, three out of every four voters from this community, voted for the BJP as they were for a Lingayat Chief Minister.
In its bid to remain in power, the BJP is today witness to a virtual split down the middle, between those who back the former Chief Minister and those who don’t. Any other leader with the range of corruption charges and political challenges would have long since been sidelined. The BJP is forced to pay heed to his many political tantrums as, at the end of the day, for the BJP, Yeddyurappa definitely matters.