- Come to think of it, Karnataka is the sole major state in the country where the Grand Old Party is in the saddle after enduring several electoral setbacks in the last few years. There was a silver lining in the form of an improved performance in the last Lok Sabha elections, which fetched the Congress double the number of seats from the preceding Parliamentary polls. However, repeated failure to win several crucial state assembly elections subsequently has nullified whatever little gains were made in the Lok Sabha elections. One of the exceptions has been the overwhelming victory in the Karnataka state assembly election with a clear majority to rule. With such a clear mandate, the Karnataka Congress was expected to deliver admirable governance. But alas!
PC: The Hindu
- As you are aware, the five guarantee schemes were a major factor in Congress’s spectacular victory in the elections. Yes, the unimpressive governance and internal dissidence within the party did contribute to the BJP failing to emerge victorious at the hustings. Congress has completed two years of governance now. But rather than consolidate from the strength of the majority, the party is struggling to showcase its prowess courtesy of a visibly increasing power struggle between the two top leaders, viz. CM Siddaramaiah and DyCM DK Shivakumar. Remember, how soon after Congress emerged triumphant, the tussle between the two to head the government was played out quite openly. We know how Siddaramaiah was chosen ahead of Shivakumar.
PC: Scroll.in
- However, the talks of power-sharing agreement between the two leaders kept playing out in the background, and the same has only become more vociferous with supporters making public statements in favour of the leaders. Despite the party’s high command and the two leaders gagging the supporters from making public statements about the alleged power-sharing agreement, the talks have refused to die down. The simmering differences between the two top leaders have come to the fore often in the last few months. As is their wont, both the leaders have firmly asserted that CM Siddaramaiah will complete his full term without conceding the saddle. None of the politically astute are prepared to buy these affirmations, though.
PC: Deccan Herald
- Party high command deputing Karnataka-in-charge Surjewala to ascertain views from the disgruntled MLAs has only added further fuel to the already burning issue. Yes, the developmental works in the state have indeed taken a severe hit with MLAs cutting across party affiliations loudly proclaiming a lack of funds. The BJP could have taken advantage of the emerging situations when the government found itself with allegations of scams and misgovernance. Unfortunately, the BJP itself is amid internal dissidence and disorder, with leaders pulling in different directions. The moot point to ponder over here is whether the power tussle between the two ambitious leaders has severely undermined the growth prospects of Karnataka. The answer is yes.
