Cong has acquired a long term vision now
A major point that could have been detrimental for the coalition government has been tackled right away. The question whether Kumaraswamy would remain a full term CM could have been a bone of contention if it was not addressed right now. The fact that this question has been answered without giving much space for it to gain different proportions is not only a surprising move, but also a fact that has brought much solace to the people of the state. It was rather inevitable that Congress with its 78 seats would offer the CM post on a platter to JD(S) with 37 seats. But it was somehow assumed that JD(S) and Congress would share the term of CM equally between themselves. Congress even deserved to have a CM of its own party for half the term. Because people’s mandate is favourably leaning towards Congress and the party has a large vote share too. And JD(S) would have been on a beneficial side with this arrangement. However, former PM Deve Gowda turned the whole situation in the favour of his party. And for the first time perhaps, Congress has faced the reality on a very pragmatic note. The party has set its sights on long term benefits of having to let go of the CM’s post for now.
Congress plans to come back in a big way in 2019 elections, hopefully clinching the PM post for itself. The expectations of Congress in the state went haywire, and this has given them a very uncertain feeling about 2019 elections. The party strategy now needs to be stronger than before to face the elections. Hence Congress is forging alliance with smaller parties at every possible opportunity to pose a challenge to NDA in the upcoming elections. That’s the whole reason behind offering CM’s post to HD Kumaraswamy for full term. If JD(S) and Congress can truck together to face elections in the state, the results can be highly favourable. JD(S) will have to return the favour by catapulting Rahul to the post of PM. If JD(S) has entered into coalition with BJP, Kumaraswamy would have probably lost his life time opportunity to be a full term CM! He would have had to share the seat with Yeddyurappa like it happened last time.
And even that would have been tough since the undercurrents of BJP suggest otherwise. Now JD(S) has the opportunity to have its cake and eat it too. Till last time, JD(S) didn’t hope to clinch big number of seats. The results weren’t even promising. Yet, the fact that it is riding over the party with 78 MLAs is a fact that may create discontentment among the Congress members. Hence, soon after coalition government was formed, there were statements about the term of the current CM wasn’t decided yet. But the Delhi high command concurring and announcing full support for HDK’s full term as CM, hasn’t gone down well among the members of Cong. Time can only answer how this entire decision would play out in Lok Sabha elections. This may weaken Congress and strengthen JD(S)’s presence in the state. Now major portfolios have gone to JD(S). Having suffered through demonetization, JD(S) will definitely find this a major resource to spring back to form. HDK as full term CM can work wonders for the confidence of JD(S) members and the party by the time Lok Sabha elections arrive.
But looks like this is a tentative situation since many Cong members have already expressed doubts on HDK’s full term run, and its impact on Congress in the state. Hence the coalition may continue till 2019 elections and then the fight for CM post may assume full form after the elections depending on how well Congress does.
Some members may even quit the party dissatisfied over HDK being given all the power. Hence the probabilities of 2019 elections has definitely raised curiosity in the state. If the allies like it happened in UP join in, BJP may face a tough challenge. But we have also seen how fast the allies have dissipated into thin air in the country. Rahul Gandhi may be the PM candidate in Congress and other parties may have even more experienced seniors much deserving of the post. Hence, it is not impossible for even HD Devegowda to push Rahul aside and occupy the seat himself. The Congress then would have lost the big and small picture both.
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LoP Ashoka targets CM govt over corruption, says being 'shameless' in public life not forgivable
Bengaluru (PTI): Targeting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Congress government in Karnataka on corruption, BJP leader R Ashoka on Friday said, being foolish was forgivable, but being "shameless" in public life was not.
The Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly claimed that in just 30 months of its tenure, the Congress administration has broken every previous record on corruption-related controversies.
He was responding to Siddaramaiah's post on 'X' on Thursday hitting back at the BJP, stating that Upa Lokayukta Justice Veerappa's claims of "63 per cent corruption" were based on his report in November 2019, when BJP's B S Yediyurappa was the CM.
"But Ashoka, without understanding the Upa Lokayukta's statement properly, has ended up tying the BJP's own bells of sins onto our heads and has effectively shot himself in the foot," the CM had said, as he accused Ashoka of foolishness for trying to twist Veerappa's statement to target the current government.
Responding, Ashoka said, "it is one thing to be called foolish in politics, that can be forgiven."
"But in public life, especially in the Chief Minister's chair, one must never become shameless," Ashoka posted on 'X' on Friday addressing Siddaramaiah.
Noting that the CM himself had admitted on the floor of the Assembly that a Rs 87 crore scam took place in the Valmiki Development Corporation, he said that when a CM acknowledges such a massive irregularity inside the floor of the House, the natural expectation is immediate action and accountability.
"But instead of taking responsibility, you continue in office as if nothing has happened. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," he asked.
Pointing out that the CM's Economic Advisor and senior Congress MLA Basavaraja Rayareddy had publicly stated that under Congress rule, Karnataka has become No.1 in corruption, Ashoka said, "Yet, you still cling to the Chief Minister's chair without a moment of introspection. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness."
Senior Congress MLA C R Patil had exposed the "money for House" racket in the Housing Department and even warned that the government would collapse if the details he has were made public, Ashoka said.
"Despite such serious allegations from within your own party (Congress), you neither initiated an inquiry nor acted against the concerned minister. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," Ashoka asked the CM.
Highlighting the "40 percent commission" allegation Congress made against the previous BJP government, the opposition leader said, the commission that the Siddaramaiah government appointed concluded that the accusation was baseless.
"After your own panel demolished your own claim, what moral right do you have to continue repeating that allegation. What should the people of Karnataka call this, if not sheer shamelessness," he asked.
For the last two and a half years, Karnataka has been 'drowning' in corruption, scandals, irregularities and allegations across departments. Ashoka said, "If I begin listing every case that emerged under your government, even 24 hours would not be enough."
"And the most tragic aspect of your administration is this: the unbearable pressure, corruption demands and administrative harassment under your government pushed several officers and contractors into extreme distress - including the suicide of Chandrasekharan which exposed the Valmiki Development Corporation scam - a sign of how deeply broken the system has become under your watch," he said.
Instead of fixing this hopeless environment, the government has tried to bury every complaint and silence every voice, he charged.
"Being foolish is forgivable, but being shameless in public life is definitely not."
"When your own ministers admit scams, when your own advisors certify Karnataka as No.1 in corruption, and when your own MLAs expose rackets inside your departments - clinging to power without accountability is not leadership. It is shamelessness in its purest form." PTI KSU
Earlier on Thursday Ashoka had demanded that the corruption case and allegations in the state against the Congress government be handed over to a CBI investigation, citing a reported statement by Upalokaykta Justice Veerappa alleging "63 per cent corruption", following which Siddaramaiah hit back at the BJP leader.
