BJP should call Yeddyurappa's bluff, go for polls

Bangalore, Dec 10: After launching his party, BS Yeddyurappa has dared the BJP to dissolve Karnataka Assembly and lose its first government in South India.

Even though scheduled elections are almost six months away, BJP's Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar may well seek a fresh mandate. By going to polls now, the BJP can call Yeddyurappa's bluff and finish him before he can pose any credible opposition. He neither has sympathy factor behind him, as in 2008, nor the cadre to fight the elections.

The state of Karnataka has suffered economically and politically due to constant infighting and corruption of BJP. It is time to start afresh and there are a lot of factors that may still work for the saffron alliance.

The main opposition Congress is still not united with different factions working at cross-purpose. The party also does not seem to have galvanised the grassroots workers and does not have a targeted vote politics built on tenacity. It still depends on Gandhi family to deliver results and the outcome of Gujarat elections will decide the quantum of the family's aura.

The other opposition to the BJP is former Prime Minister HD Devegowda's Janata Dal (Secular). The JDS is a family party and its influence is sporadic and strong in pockets with no real punch. Devegowda's son and former Chief Minister of the state HD Kumaraswamy is not in his pink of health and has no second line of leadership to bank on.

Like Yeddyurappa, the JDS will indulge in hit and run strategy and look to be king-makers.

The BJP is not a saint but it has been able to deliver many end-user services like 'Sakala' that promises time-bound services in police stations, civic amenities and health benefits.

Yeddyurappa is not ready to fight and nor is any other political party in Karnataka. But being in power, the BJP can still reach the magic figure of 113 provided the Congress and Governor HR Bharadwaj accept the bold decision to call for elections.

The Congress may stall dissolution of assembly and elections just to deny the BJP the advantage of being in power and also dent the credibility by keeping the assembly in suspended state till the term is over.

The battle for Karnataka has begun and it is going to dirty.

OneIndia News