- The incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka is not only battling the visible anti-incumbency in the state but also has to deal with finding the right candidates to take on the increasingly aggressive opposition. The BJP’s narrative has been to denounce dynastic policies, nepotism, and corruption whenever an election approaches. The party that claims to be different from Congress never shies away from deriding dynastic politics at every available opportunity. The BJP’s pet slogan of double-engine government – denoting the party in power at both the Centre and state – that facilitates speedy delivery of various schemes does carry some traction with the electorate. However, certain pronouncements of the saffron party increasingly appear to sound hollow.
PC: MANU AIYAPPA
- Take for instance the perceived antipathy towards dynastic politics. Many kith and kin of party stalwarts have received tickets to contest in the ensuing elections. People will no longer get swayed away by the BJP’s narrative about dynastic politics. Mind you, walking the talk sends a firm message rather than mere lip service. Similarly, talking against nepotism should not only be seen to be followed diligently but also must be discouraged with firmness befitting the national party that claims to be different. Giving in to the pressure tactics of party stalwarts only exposes the weak underbelly which the opposition parties will be keen to explore. The BJP in Karnataka finds itself in a precarious situation unable to break away from these political compulsions.
- No sooner than the first list of the BJP’s candidates for Karnataka polls was announced, and some of the stalwarts who were denied tickets to contest erupted in defiance. Two of the most prominent names are the ex-CM Jagadish Shettar and the ex-DyCM Laxman Savadi. Of course, there are a few more who have already left the party for the other side. Remember, Shettar is a six-time MLA and one of the architects of the BJP’s emergence in Karnataka alongside Yediyurappa and the late Ananth Kumar. Further, people aware of the caste dynamic in the state would note that both belong to the dominant and influential Lingayat community. As it is, the Lingayat community is not happy with the way Yediyurappa was made to resign from the CM’s post a few years back.
PC: MANUAIYAPPA KANATHANDA
- Thus, the denial of tickets to these two tall leaders of the community will not go unnoticed. Mind you, Lingayats alongside Vokkaliga form two dominant communities in Karnataka. As such, the three major political parties are compelled to choose candidates commensurate with the caste equations representing these two communities. It may not say so, but the BJP should be worried about the consequences of denying the ticket to Jagadish Shettar who enjoys a considerable sway in the north Karnataka region. He has been a non-controversial politician through the decades and enjoys enough goodwill amongst the region’s people. Laxman Savadi’s exit too will have a bearing on the overall results. Thus, these two exits are bound to bother BJP at the hustings.
