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Bangalore: Seers, political stars to attend Yeddyurappa’s swearing-in

  •   Sun, Nov 11 2007 07:55:37 AM

Bangalore: Seers, political stars to attend Yeddyurappa’s swearing-in

Times of India

Pics: Aakash Polali - Daijiworld Media Network Bangalore

Bangalore, Nov 11: After inching his way to the seat of power, chief minister-designate B S Yeddyurappa has decided to have his coronation done in style on Monday.

He spent most part of Saturday making rounds of political and legal luminaries and seers, extending them invitations for his swearing-in on the steps of Vidhana Soudha at noon. The invited included senior JD(S) leader M P Prakash, former Chief Justice M Rama Jois, RSS functionary K Narahari and Adi Chunchanagiri seer Balagangadharanatha Swami. A galaxy of BJP leaders from New Delhi will also be present to witness their party forming its first government down South in Karnataka.

Yeddyurappa will take oath along with the deputy chief minister, who in all probability will be H D Kumaraswamy. The JDSLP will meet on Sunday to discuss the candidate for the deputy CM’s post with names of state JD(S) president Merajuddin N Patel and former minister H D Revanna doing the rounds. With party MLAs backing Kumaraswamy, the choice may be unanimous in his favour. The possibility of swearing in a ministry, even a small one, on Monday has been ruled out to stem any disgruntlement among MLAs from both sides.

Sources told that Yeddyurappa was contemplating convening the legislature session on November 15 to seek the trust vote. Though rules stipulate that legislators have to be given a week’s notice prior to convening the session, an exception can be made in certain cases. The reason behind the rush is because Yeddyurappa wants to seek the vote before the petition seeking disqualification of 39 JD(S) MLAs is heard by assembly Speaker Krishna on November 17. Once he clears the confidence vote hurdle and a clear picture emerges on the petition, he will get down to the task of ministry-making.

There is, meanwhile, intense pressure on M P Prakash, who has rebelled against the BJPJD(S) reunion, to change his stance and be part of the government. Emissaries of Yeddyurappa, Revanna and JD(S) supreme H D Deve Gowda met him and tried to convince him.

Work on the oath-taking began on Friday, with the protocol wing of department of personnel and administrative reforms under deputy secretary N Jayadev working over time for a smooth swearing in of Yeddyurappa.

Caution Yeddy, bumps and road rage ahead

The long wait is over. The BJP and its man Yeddyurappa have huffed and puffed their way to the chief minister’s gaddi in Karnataka. It is a dream come true for both. The saffron party had been waiting for years to make a mark down South. And Yeddyurappa had suffered a severe bout of hiccups before he got the green signal.

But the road ahead is not smooth. It is paved with huge potholes and humps. Being a first-timer, the BJP and its CM will come under a scanner. The people will scrutinise their performance vis-a-vis other parties. A number of issues await attention, with infrastructure, rural-urban divide and regional imbalance topping the list. They will also be judged by the way they handle coalition partner JD(S) and its supremo Deve Gowda. Dharam Singh danced to his tunes and lost his crown. Kumaraswamy became his father’s voice and lost the hard-earned goodwill of the people. Will Yeddyurappa fare better? Gowda enjoys backseat driving, keeps throwing a spanner in the works, has a penchant for writing letters that spark controversies, and is possessive about his family.

The BJP must learn from the mistakes committed by its two predecessors. While it must respect coalition norms and work within the ambit of an agreed common minimum programme, it must also put its foot down against frequent interference from extra-constitutional authorities. Whatever the problems, its CM must sit with his deputy, take cabinet colleagues into confidence and find feasible solutions. It should discourage mudslinging and witch-hunting. It must strive to put all development activities on the fast track, remove hurdles put before certain projects, withdraw irrelevant cases in courts, ask legislators to spend more time in their constituencies, and direct ministers to tour the state extensively to understand and alleviate the problems of the people.

The party has just 19 months to rule. If it wants to be called ‘a party with a difference’, it must conduct itself gracefully, handle its partner JD(S) with tact, embark on pro-people activities, ensure peace and harmony in the state and put the state on the path towards progress. If it does, it is certain to bounce back with a majority in the next elections. Will it?

The JD(S) on its part must exercise restraint. The party’s image has taken a severe beating in the last few months. The general impression is that it is untrustworthy, unpredictable and opportunist. And that it can do anything for the sake of power. To change this image, the party must act as a credible, responsible and matured partner. Gowda Sr must take a backseat, stop worrying about day-to-day functioning of the government and concentrate on strengthening the party so as to face the next elections confidently. It will help restore his own, his party’s and his sons’ credibility.

Gowda should know that his JD(S) is a divided house. Young MLAs do not listen to him any more. Most seniors have either left him or are sulking. His sons are not united. The threat of a split looms large. Gowda’s frequent U-turns, and the sudden remarriage with BJP, after an ugly showdown in public, proves that. He must put all his energy into putting the party back into shape. He must give a free hand to someone like Kumaraswamy, who has proved to be level-headed leader with a mass appeal, to interact with the BJP and create a conducive working environment.

Kumaraswamy commands the support of most party MLAs, has a good equation with Yeddyurappa and other BJP leaders, and a fairly good public image. In case the deputy CM’s post goes to him, it will further boost the morale of the MLAs. They need the support, guidance and leadership of a person like him in the government. It will also help deter BJP MLAs from dominating them. In short, Gowda Sr must not interfere. Will he?


Leader, follow the doctor


Our netas must learn from the dedication, devotion, sincerity and determination with which a team of doctors in Bangalore performed a complex surgery on a two-year-old girl to separate her from her parasitic conjoined twin. It was a marathon and successful session of 27 hours. It brought a smile on the face of the child. The parents were thrilled. Hats off to these doctors. If only our netas could emulate them and focus their attention on the welfare of the citizens who elect them, there will be smiles all around. Is this too much to expect from them?

Karnataka: Power at any cost !
  

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Comment on this article

  • Ronnie, Puttur

    Tue, Nov 13 2007

    If action speaks louder than words, then we should see the promised deliveries, else, another waste of tax payers money towards all the ceremonial event.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • manmohan, dubai

    Mon, Nov 12 2007

    Indefatigability in work and unflinching resolves reached to the ecstasy of bjp to power in south india with the threshold of its rein through karnataka,so there is no wrong in all political star to attend yeddyurappas swearing in ceremony.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse


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