In fast-changing political weather that largely concerns the BJP in Karnataka, speculations are rife about change in guard as far as the Chief Minister’s post is concerned. It is imperative to mention here that it has not even been 48 hours since Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa gave his oneyear account of governance and challenging times in an event to mark the day.
A couple of events in the past two days have set tongues wagging, prompting vernacular media in the state to debate on change in the CM’s gaddi and successors to the top post.
It all started after news about Deputy CM Lakshman Savadi seeking appointment with Governor Vajubhai Vala and his subsequent visit to New Delhi to meet the party leadership. Although Savadi issued clarification that his meeting with the Governor was long overdue and it was meant to be a casual one, and that his visit to Delhi was to convey regards to party president J.P. Nadda on completion of one year of the BJP government in Karnataka, the mere fact that Savadi met the constitutional head as well as the party leadership was enough ammo for BSY detractors to rattle the state unit which has increasingly come under the grip of the top brass sitting in Delhi.
Amidst pandemic chaos and increasing number of cases in Karnataka which has put the dispensation under the spotlight, with charges of over Rs 2,000 crore misappropriation and raging stories of ineptness and failures on part of the government, such speculations have only placed the BSY camp under further scrutiny.
However, BJP insiders say that the regional media in Karnataka is making a mountain of a mole. “There is no discounting the fact that the baton has to be passed sooner or later but this is not the time for change in leadership. These talks have been doing rounds for quite some time but the central BJP knows very well that transition will happen with mutual consent (BSY and central leaders). These are mere threats and planting of stories by the anti-BSY camp to prepare the grounds but the timing isn’t just right,” said a senior leader in the saffron party who isn’t identified with any groups. He, however, questioned the locus standi of Savadi. “Who is he to say that BSY will complete the next three years as CM? Certain party men have been given a bump up to send a message to state BJP that the high command will have the final say but that doesn’t give these propped up leaders credence to make such statements,” he said.
Speaking to The Daily Guardian, sources in the CMO said: “Lakshman Savadi has proved to be ineffective. There are chances that he might be even dropped from the cabinet. He is creating this narrative to save himself from being stripped of the post. With recent selection of MLCs there will be rejig in the state cabinet in the first or second week of August. These developments are simply to preempt from being dropped and also by a certain section of senior leaders to make the cut,” said sources in the CMO.