In what, perhaps, can be termed as unusual, the three main political parties in Karnataka , namely, the ruling Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S), find themselves being challenged today. Largely from within. And, that too, simultaneously.

Each political party is facing in-fighting and dissension. Many senior leaders make it clear that their right to limelight cannot be brushed aside, even using the caste factor to push their claims.

Whether it is for the additional post of Deputy Chief Minister in the ruling Congress, or that of the BJP’s state president, or the role of the opposition leader, the caste-based fight has been a headache for the parties concerned.

For example,the hostility exhibited by the BJP’s senior leaders in Karnataka over the appointment of B.Y. Vijayendra, a prominent Lingayat, as the president of their state unit has created unease. He is the son of former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

If this was not enough, the appointment of R. Ashok, a Vokkaliga, as the leader of the opposition in the state Assembly, has created more problems for the BJP. The displeased ‘losers’ feel discarded, despite the ambitions that they wear on their sleeves.

The situation is no better in the JD-S , today, as it faces stiff opposition from its erstwhile president, C.M. Ibrahim, who was eased out for ‘anti-party’ activities. All because he and his supporters questioned the party supremo, Deve Gowda, as also his son and former CM, H.D. Kumaraswamy, when they decided to align with the BJP.

The move has split JD-S which, going by its performance in the just concluded Assembly polls, already looks to be on its last legs. Gowda claimed that Ibrahim was expelled as his statements were harming the party’s image. The move came after the latter convened a meeting of rebel JD-S and to act against the former PM and his son’s decision to associate with the BJP.

While addressing a meeting in the state recently, Kumaraswamy was reported to have praised a RSS leader besides ending his speech with a “Jai Sri Ram,” clearly indicating his party’s pronounced turn to the hard right.

Meanwhile, for the ruling Congress also, the situation is not much better, even though internal strife and conflict may appear to have taken a back seat, albeit temporarily. For, Siddaramaiah’s immediate agenda is to implement the controversial report of the decade old caste survey, something that could, inevitably, become a political albatross around his neck.

Having initiated the survey during his first term in 2013-2018, he failed to table the census report in the Assembly. Now, ten years later, the CM appears to be on an overdrive to implement it, encouraged by party members from the backward and OBC sections.

This, notwithstanding protests from the dominant Lingayat and Vokkaliga leaders within and outside the party who claim that the survey “ is unscientific and flawed.”

To make matters worse, Dy. CM and Vokkaliga leader, D.K. Shivakumar, found himself being reprimanded by none other than the All India Congress Committee president, Mallikarjun Kharge, for contesting the manner in which the survey was undertaken.

Shivakumar’s clarification on the caste census while reiterating his commitment to the Congress’ policies, however, could not hide the embarrassment following Kharge’s reproach. As a visibly disturbed old timer of the party commented, in private, “I don’t know where to look.”

The troubles for the three parties come barely six months after the state elections where the Congress romped home easily, humbling the BJP and JD-S. While Congress rode on the back of its five guarantees, an over confident BJP floundered as it sidelined many of its Lingayat and other prominent leaders including from former CM Jagdish Shettar.

The BJP’s Achilles heel, however, proved to be the corruption charges against the Basavaraj Bommai government. It could not shake off the tag of being called a “40 percent commission government.” The charges were levelled by the state’s contractors who alleged that a section of the BJP ministers were seeking 40 percent commission to clear their dues.

Ironically, the Congress government is now facing similar accusations. The contractors claim that they are being asked to pay an additional 15 percent commission, to clear their dues. Needless to say, this is worrying the party’s central leadership.

On its part, the JD-S remained marginalised in the polls as it came a cropper in the Vokkaliga bastion with the Congress winning 19 of the 31 constituencies in Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu districts. This loss ended Kumaraswamy’s hopes of becoming a kingmaker after the Assembly polls.

With Deve Gowda, who is in his 90s, and unable to play an active role, Kumaraswamy finds himself at his wit’s end. Besides, following the virtual split in the party, thanks to Ibrahim’s expulsion, and his rebel faction, the Gowdas’ political clout has begun to wane. It also explains why the family-led JD-S is seeking to be dry nursed by the BJP.

The ruling Congress, meanwhile, is determined to realise its dream of bagging 20 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats from the state. But without sorting out its problems, including the growing disaffection and disenchantment with the state leadership, the party may find itself constrained.

Already, B.K. Hariprasad, a senior leader and a hopeful for a cabinet berth, has gone public claiming that he was well versed in the art “of making and dislodging CMs.” The snubbed leader was obviously referring to the clout he exercised earlier as the general secretary of the All India Congress Committee.

Hariprasad , though, is but one of the many disgruntled senior leaders in the party. Then there is Dy. CM, Shivakumar, whose overpowering desire, rather hunger and hurry, to claim the top post, continues to make Siddaramaiah nervous.

Accordingly, the Congress would need to move fast to put its house in order in the state even before looking at the Parliamentary polls. And, that holds good for the BJP and JDS in equal measure.

Latest News