In 2008, when BJP won near majority seats in Karnataka State Election, it was time for the celebration. Indeed it was the first state in South India to come to BJP's fold. There were some sympathies to BJP, after it was taken for a ride by JDS. They were unanimous in choosing their Chief Minsiter Mr Yeddyurappa, whom later media started calling as "Yeddy".But after almost 3 years into power, its time for BJP to revisit and learn from several events of the last 3 years.
Scams, Reddy brothers, Sobha Karandlage episode or the very unpopular Managlore church attacks and Pub episode all have put a dent on BJP's credibility and reputation in media and probably in the minds of general public. Over and above, the arrogance of Yeddy and his unpalatable affection towards the CM chair, has made BJP laughable in public.
It was a golden chance given to BJP, and people expected Yeddy to do something similar to what Narendra Modi has done in Gujarat in development front, given their somewhat similar backgrounds and personalities. Offcourse, Yeddy did try with global investors meet and others, but all these were more in talks and less in paper.
Yeddy's personality also mattered a lot. His short temperness, arrogance, promoting groupism, his inability to control reddy brothers and other rebels and closeness of Sobha did shadow whatever positive qualities or thoughts he had. He finally went in to state of offensiveness , when his chair was more important to him rather than the duties. BJP national leaders also could not do anything either to support Yeddy or to remove him, fearing fall of first BJP government in south. However the Mining report by Lokayukta was a seal on the lid. BJP central leadership said, "enough is enough" and asked Yeddy to go. Having survived all the previous attempts by rebels to dislodge him, this time Yeddy could not find neither excuses nor supporters and hence decided to step down.
The damages done can't be repaired and I must say it is going to have strong impact on next election, if something drastic is not done by BJP central leadership in ensuring that the new Chief Minsiter has the support of all MLAs and at the same time takes decision collectively.
It is high time Karnataka returns to its glorius days of early 2000, when SM Krishna was able to drive various development initiatives. Subsequent chief mnissters were either engaged in solving the infighting or building their own assets.
Only time will Tell....what lies ahead for Karnataka. ?
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