- As we know, the Congress secured a majority in the Karnataka state assembly elections on the back of five guarantees promised in the party manifesto. The schemes introduced to benefit lower strata of society, like the poor, the youth, and the women, were not only an instant hit with the beneficiaries but also triggered several other countries to follow suit. Even the recalcitrant Prime Minister, who exhorted the freebie culture as a drain on the economy and unsuitable for a progressive country, had to look the other way when the Bharatiya Janata Party resorted to offering freebies in several state assembly elections. Of course, the rich dividends that ensued were reaped by the BJP gleefully. Karnataka set a precedent of sorts in more than one way.
PC: NDTV
- However, what caught the imagination of the state and the country alike was the power tussle between the then incumbent and the potential successor aiming for the high seat. We know how the two top leaders had thrown their weight around to assume the office of the Chief Minister, backed by the brutal majority enjoyed by the Grand Old Party in the beginning. As reported extensively, the so-called arrangement sharing the power kept hitting the headlines regularly. As if on cue, the supporters of both leaders also ensured the issue never got consigned to the back burner. Despite the high command issuing diktats for the party functionaries not to air their preferences and/or take sides, the issue of change of guard was never off the grid all these months.
PC: Deccan Chronicle
- Eventually, the change of guard happened with the high command asking the then incumbent to step down and asking the persistently persevering challenger to take on the mantle of the Chief Minister. With the long-cherished dream fulfilled, the coronation of the leader took place with all the regular paraphernalia associated with the change, alongside a few cabinet members. With the assumption of office, the portfolio distribution took centre stage with the seniors and others aspiring to assume some of the perceived important ministries. Mind you, the recently resigned CM would ideally wish to exercise control over the governance by ensuring his backers are duly rewarded with plum ministries. Would the incumbent CM allow the same to fructify? No.
PC: Daily Pioneer
- As is their wont, no sooner were the portfolios distributed than the disenchantment kick-started with a few senior leaders brandishing their seniority/experience and demanding certain portfolios in commensurate with their stature. In no time, the matter reached the high command, whose intervention duly ensued, leading the disgruntled leaders to assume their allotted offices without much murmur. Even though the firefighting efforts of the incumbent CM have ensured that the matter is doused for the time being, it is amply evident that the same will again rise its ugly head when the cabinet is further expanded in due course. Hopefully, the CM will be able to stay a stepahead of the expected little battles and concentrate on developments with renewed vigour.
