As discussion rages around the removal of Chief Minister Yediyurappa from his post, BJP leaders have clarified ‘that there is no question of a change in leadership.’ The moment the Yediyurappa-led BJP government completed one year in office, one faction presented a proposal for ‘leadership change.’ It was demanded that Yediyurappa should lay down office and transfer power to another leader as part of an understanding during the time of the formation of the government. The names of leaders such as Lakshman Savadi, Nalin Kumar Kateel, B.L. Santosh and others were floated for the post of the Chief Minister. The demand also received a boost because of the Opposition allegations about irregularities in the purchase of medical equipment during the Coronavirus pandemic. It is suspected that the leaders opposed to Yediyurappa in the BJP handed over the documents relating financial irregularities to the opposition leaders. All this proves beyond doubt that there is a silent attempt in the BJP to unseat Yediyurappa and it is also not a secret anymore that the Santosh-led RSS faction is behind such an attempt.
The RSS has decades of history of trying to free the BJP from the shackles of Yediyurappa and taking complete control over the party. In the past, the RSS first tried to make Anant Kumar the Chief Minister and later Santosh. This is part of the Brahmin-Lingayat power struggle within the State BJP. However, the strong Lingayat backing for Yediyurappa has so far defeated the attempts of RSS.
Some forces within the BJP have brought to the fore discussions about how far Yediyurappa has succeeded in his one year of administration. To make him the fall guy, they are trying to hold him responsible for various failures of the government. When Yediyurappa sought central assistance for flood relief last year, the BJP MPs had obstructed such a demand stating that there is no need for financial assistance as the state treasury was flush with funds. If all MPs of the state were united in pressurising the Centre, the state would have received not only funds for flood relief but also its share of GST. It is generally believed that if the same party is in power in the states as well as at the Centre, it would be beneficial to the states. Moreover, Karnataka has all but three of its Lok Sabha MPs from the BJP. The Centre should have thus treated Karnataka favourably. Unfortunately, instead of championing the State’s causes, most of the BJP MPs seem to be more interested in appeasing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Thus, when the Coronavirus crisis began, Karnataka was facing a serious financial crunch.
Despite this, the Yediyurappa-led government came out with a plan of action. Today, compared to other BJP-ruled states such as Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka is in a better position. It is surprising that Karnataka with its empty coffers managed to achieve even this much. Perhaps, Yediyurappa’s vast political experience, maturity, and acumen was responsible for this. It is by no measure a small achievement for Yediyurappa to have completed one year enduring the harassment he faced from within the party.
The biggest obstacle for the BJP in replacing Yediyurappa is the absence of an alternative leader to succeed him. During the BJP’s first term in Government between 2008-2013, when Yediyurappa stepped down as the Chief Minister, the party had to appoint Sadananda Gowda as his successor first, and later Jagadish Shettar. Subsequently, when Yediyurappa left the BJP, the party suffered heavy losses. The BJP needed Yediyurappa to rejoin the party for it to come back to power and had no choice but to agree to make him the Chief Minister after 2018 elections. Yediyurappa has not only the unstinted support of Lingayats but also a long political history of pro-farmer agitations. Unlike other leaders in the BJP, he did not grow by spreading communal poison. He acquired his present stature through political struggles. His political views were shaped during his long association with many senior leaders. This is the reason why the rebels within the BJP are not bold enough to face Yediyurappa directly. Instead, they seem to be operating clandestinely in association with the RSS. Besides, nobody in the BJP has the courage to take over the mantle of the Government in Karnataka that is in tatters with the onset of the Coronavirus and repeated lockdowns. Even if Yediyurappa is removed from office and another leader appointed as the Chief Minister, RSS leaders would continue backseat driving. Though the RSS hatched a plot to replace Yediyurappa with a leader who could implement their agenda, it had to withdraw its plan in the absence of the support of the Central leadership. It is rumoured that the Yediyurappa faction has issued a clear warning to the leaders against the RSS attempt. Because of this, BJP leaders are repeatedly insisting that there is no question of a change in leadership. This means that the leaders are aware of the threat that Yediyurappa could pose by rebelling against the party and engineering a split if he is replaced before the term ends. It appears that the BJP has decided to continue Yediyurappa as the Chief Minister for the next three years and bid him a graceful farewell. But it remains to be seen if Yediyurappa will accept political retirement or if he would lay the foundation for an alternative government using his massive Lingayat support base.
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Axar shifts focus to next IPL after KKR all but end DC's campaign
New Delhi (PTI): A beleaguered Axar Patel admitted that both his team's batters and bowlers let the side down after Delhi Capitals suffered a humiliating eight-wicket defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders, virtually ending their IPL 2026 playoff hopes, while indicating the team had already begun looking ahead to the next season.
DC endured a miserable outing at home, managing only 142/8, which Kolkata Knight Riders chased down in just 14.2 overs, powered by a blistering unbeaten 100 from Finn Allen and his destructive stand with Cameron Green (33 not out) as the visitors tore apart the bowling attack.
With just eight points from 11 matches, DC are eighth on the table, while KKR revived their playoff hopes with a resurgent run, moving to seventh with nine points from 10 outings, though their road to the knockouts still remains difficult.
"For now, we'll go back and think about the mistakes we made. After that, obviously there's still a long journey ahead and next year will come too. So we'll think about what plans we can make for next year and what approach we should take," said Axar after the match.
"Based on that, we can also look at the players sitting on the bench and decide who can be given opportunities and what changes we can make," he added, hinting at a possible major overhaul next season.
With 200-plus totals becoming the norm this season, 142 was always going to be inadequate, and Axar admitted the score was well below par while also pointing out at poor judgement shown by the spinners while defending the modest total.
"I think the runs were definitely below par and at the same time the spinners made quite a few mistakes. Looking at the way the pitch behaved, I feel the spinners did make errors.
"At the same time, we lost five wickets in two-three overs, and I think that's where the momentum slipped away from us. That's probably something we need to think about because the same thing happened against CSK...we started well, and then suddenly wickets kept falling," he added.
He admitted the solutions to the issues could be found but players need to show the right mindset and character.
"See, you can't solve it in a complicated way. So, I think it's more about applying the right mindset. Even if you lose one or two wickets, you can still spend time at the crease and play through it. I think that's what needs to be applied, when wickets are falling in clusters, you need to absorb the pressure for an over or two," opined Axar.
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane was pleased to see a struggling Finn Allen finally rediscover his touch with the bat.
"I'm really happy for Finn Allen. He was struggling first four or five games, working really hard, but the way he batted tonight was fantastic. But I want to praise our bowlers again.
"We did well because of them. And they've been doing it so well consistently, especially those middle overs and the death overs. Our spinners, Sunil Narine, Varun (Chakravarthy) and Anukul Roy, have been fantastic," he said.
"Fielding-wise, yes, we are working really hard. Our fielding coach has been really strict with us. And that's what has been helping us. The result which you've been seeing about the catches and the ground fielding, credit goes to our fielding coach as well," he added.
