Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Aug 5: The fact that only Ananth Kumar, MP,  from the BJP faction that is strongly opposed to B S Yddyurappa did attend the swearing-in ceremony of D V Sadananda Gowda on Thusday, dropped clear hints that power game had begun within the BJP in the state. Most of the MLAs from the rival camp including Jagadish Shettar, Reddy Brothers, Jarkiholi etc stayed away from the function, and chose to show that they are not ready to budge easily. Because of the resistance from the faction opposed to Yeddyurappa, Gowda alone could took oath, duly postponing the swearing-in of at least some of the cabinet ministers, by a few days.

Ananth Kumar camp, which secured 55 votes as against 63 by Gowda, has been demanding for equal share in power and also wants to retain important portfolios like home, revenue, rural development etc. The camp claims that most of its members are original BJP men. The camp is dead against giving importance to Yeddyurappa, and it is widely known that Gowda was handpicked by Yeddyurappa to succeed him. When Sadananda Gowda visited Shettar's residence where the legislators of the other faction were having tea, Shettar is said to have remarked that none of the legislators from his faction would accept ministerial berths if Yeddyurappa is allowed to have a say in the administration. The leaders are also angry at the fact that Yeddyurappa had threatened some ministers at the legislature party meeting of BJP convened to elect the new Chief Minister.

Apparently, more than the principles or anger, the crux of the heart-burning within the camps hinges on power sharing ratio. It is said that Yeddyurappa camp has offered 14 berths to this faction, while wanting to retain remaining 20 with itself. As Gowda was not willing to promise the other faction that it would be allotted equal ministerial berths in the ministry apart from important portfolios, they decided to boycott the ceremony, it is gathered. The opposition faction now wants all discussion about allocation of portfolio and formation of the ministry, to be held in the presence of national leadership of the party. It is said that they have also been demanding for the formation of a core committee to decide important issues.

Sadananda Gowda has expressed hope of being able to convince all the factions and induct ministers into the cabinet within a few days. Even if he is able to do this, the ministry for all purposes, will look like a coalition government. Instead of two political parties, there will be two factions, which cannot see eye to eye with each other. As both factions have almost equal strength, there will be hard bargains on every inch of the way, including posting and transfer of important officials, appointments to corporations and boards, etc. In all likelihood, central leadership will have to intervene frequently to ensure that the government survives its full term.

After Yeddyurappa visited Art of Living Foundation here, its founder, Sri Sri Ravishankar is said to have met Shettar on Friday in an effort to strike truce. The Guru reportedly tried to impress upon Shettar the need to come to terms with the other faction in the interest of the state as a whole. It is not yet certain as to whether Ravishnkar could extract any assurance from Shettar. Former minister Murugesh Nirani said that the legislators respect Sri Sri Ravishnkar and will heed to his advice.

If the factions continue to fight tooth and nail on every issue, development of the state will suffer. Moreover, there is every chance that the party will squander away a chance to floor the opposition leaders including JDS state president and MP, H D Kumaraswamy, on the basis of Lokayukta report. The main grouse of the camp headed by Eshwarappa, Ananth Kumar, Ashok, etc is against the interference in the administration by Yeddyurappa, while the former CM would want to have an emphatic say in every issue.