Karnataka Deputy CM's Post: War of the Brothers
Vicky Nanjappa in Bangalore/Rediff
Bangalore, Nov 10: With the governor clearing the road for B S Yeddyurappa to become the chief minister of Karnataka, another controversy is brewing within the Janata Dal-Secular with regard to the post of deputy chief minister. A first look would indicate it is becoming a war of the brothers -- H D Kumaraswamy and H D Revanna.
With both the brothers being pitched for the coveted post, the big question that is being asked is whether it would be the will of the legislators or Deve Gowda, which will reign supreme in this final drama before the government is formed.
The JD-S, however, cannot take matters lightly and will have to decide on the post of deputy chief minister well before Monday as the new chief minister is expected to be sworn in on Monday either at 11 am or 4 pm.
Kumaraswamy vs Revanna: While Kumaraswamy has the support of all his MLAs, Revanna enjoys the support of his father H D Deve Gowda, who is also the party supremo.
JD-S sources say that in all probability, Kumaraswamy will be sworn in as the deputy chief minister.
Why Kumaraswamy? The JD-S MLAs feel that Kumaraswamy should play an active part in the government as he is their best leader.
Moreover, the MLAs also feel that they will get better deals in the government if Kumaraswamy is deputy chief minister as he is the one who initially planned this government.
The BJP too is in favour of Kumaraswamy as they have been dealing directly with him since the government was formed 21 months back.
Moreover, Kumaraswamy is the man who stood up against his father for the second time and supported the BJP.
The BJP also feels that the government will last its full term only if Kumaraswamy is at centrestage.
Why Revanna? H D Revanna, Gowda's other son enjoys the support of 3 MLAs in the JD-S. Although he withdrew support along with three MLAs from the BJP, he is expected to return if given the post of deputy chief minister.
Revanna also has the backing of his father who wants him to become the deputy chief minister. Gowda feels that Kumaraswamy has had his share of power and now it is time for Revanna to enjoy the same.
Revanna has since time immemorial handled only the Public Works Department ministry in all the governments that he was part of.
A deputy chief minister's post would give him some satisfaction in his political career.
However, there is staunch opposition from both the JD-S and the BJP to Revanna's candidature.
The JD-S MLAs say that he had decided to stay away when a government was formed with the BJP. It was only later that he joined the government. Hence, in Kumaraswamy circles he is still an outsider.
Moreover, at the time when JD-S had to transfer power to the BJP, Revanna created a ruckus and opposed the transfer of power.
The BJP does not want Revanna as they see another Deve Gowda in him. Political pundits say that Revanna is exactly like Gowda -- demanding and moody, two features which make administration a headache.
While the brothers battle it out for the coveted post, there are also reports that the real war is being fought by the women at home.
The Gowda clan has always given a lot of importance to its women and they have the final say behind the scenes.
Sources say that the wives of Kumaraswamy and Revanna do not want their respective husbands to give up the post.
This is the family angle to it. Gowda may just spring a surprise at the last moment and appoint Meerajuddin Patel.
With this appointment, Gowda would have managed to appease both the minority community and also the Lingayat community to which B S Yeddyurappa belongs.
But this is politics or should we say Karnataka politics. Things keep changing here every minute. A meeting of the JD-S MLAs is scheduled to be held on Sunday during which a final decision will be taken.
Karnataka: Power at any cost !
- Bangalore: BJP's First Government in South on Nov 12
- Governor Rameshwar Thakur Briefs Home Minister about State
-
-
-
-
- Bangalore: BJP Hits out at PM on Karnataka Issue
- Bangalore: BJP-JDS Set Deadline for Governor
- Bangalore: Governor Keeps BJP, JD (S) on Tenterhooks
- Bangalore: BJP-JDS Combine Parades MLAs before Karnataka Governor
-
-
-
-
- New Delhi: Cabinet Approves President's Rule in Karnataka
- Bangalore: CM Quits, Governor Recommends Dissolution of House
- Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister to Resign on Oct 8 Evening
- Mangalore: BJP in Low Spirits, Congress Buoyant over Coalition Break-up
- Bangalore: Kumaraswamy Forwards BJP Ministers' Resignations to Governor
- BJP Terms it 'Betrayal', Withdraws Support to JD(S) in Karnataka
- Karnataka: 'No Power Hand-over' - JD(S)' Final Word to BJP
- Karnataka: Astrologers Predict Snap Polls
- Bangalore: BJP MLAs Want Party to Withdraw Support to Coalition
- Bangalore: Cong may offer Outside Support to JD(S) if BJP Pulls out
- Bangalore: Kumaraswamy Convenes Cabinet Meet on Friday, Oct 5
- Coalition Govt: Clear Picture will Emerge on Oct 5: Deve Gowda
- Bangalore: BJP Ministers' Mass Resignations and after
- Bangalore: Yediyurappa, BJP Ministers Resign en Masse
- Bangalore: Kumaraswamy Refuses to Resign, Rebuffs BJP
- Bangalore: State's JD(S)-BJP Coalition Govt in Doldrums
- Bantwal: Yediyurappa not Fit to be a Chief Minister - Bondala
- BJP not to Allow Kumaraswamy to Continue as CM
- Allow Kumaraswamy to Continue as CM: Deve Gowda
- Bangalore: JD (S) Leads in Civic Polls in State
- Is Yediyurappa Fit to be CM? - Deve Gowda
- New Delhi: Yediyurappa will Take over as CM of Karnataka - BJP
- Bangalore: Karnataka T20: Coalition in Last-over Crisis
- Mangalore: Deve Gowda Behaving Irresponsibly - Poojary
- Bangalore: Kumaraswamy Says He will Quit on Oct 3
- Udupi: Gowda Confused over Power Transfer, Says Bangarappa
- Mangalore: 'Mine-owners' Decision Key to JDS-BJP Power
- Transfer of Power to BJP in People's Hands - JD(S) President
- Power Transfer: Gowda's Final Game Plan to Retain Son as CM
- Power Transfer: Terrible Past, Tense Future Haunts Gowda
- Handing over Power - Deve Gowda & Co Getting Ready to Shatter BJP's Dreams?
- State CM Can't Decide Power Transfer to BJP on his Own: JD(S)
- Mangalore: 'Power Transfer in State would be Smooth and in Time', Say CM, DyCM