The opposition Congress this week released the “rate card” of the BJP government in Karnataka, alleging bribery and rampant corruption at every level. The embarrassed BJP dismissed the allegations, instead calling the Congress corrupt.
The ruling party’s response, however, was not aggressive and many senior leaders and MLAs remained silent, not taking on the Congress. The BJP Legislature Party meeting discussed the allegations leveled by the Congress and several MLAs and MLCs expressed serious concern over it. Some of them even privately admitted that corruption has become a major issue that could “severely hurt” the BJP’s prospects in the assembly elections to be held in April-May next year.
Chief Minister Basavaraj BommaiThe K faction has said that the allegations of corruption are old and “all the scams” took place during the two-year tenure of erstwhile BS Yediyurappa.
However, some leaders brought to the notice of party seniors that internal surveys conducted over the past few months were not encouraging and argued that the state unit of the BJP should roll up its sleeves to ensure that it remains in power. . year.
According to several insiders, the party leadership and the RSS are convinced that it will be almost impossible to win the 2023 election on the issue of development or governance. He feels the organization is likely to return to Hindutva to run a high-decibel election campaign.
After Bommai took over as the Chief Minister, Karnataka faced several communal issues such as hijab and halal rows, loudspeaker controversy and anti-conversion bill, The Upper House of the Karnataka Legislature, which is in session, on Thursday passed the controversial anti-conversion bill, despite strong opposition from the Congress. The bill has already got the assent of the assembly.
“Anti-conversion bill will help us in the elections. We have to prove that BJP is a Hindutva party and no one can deny it. It is true that our governance is not perfect and many allegations of corruption are true. If we fight Congress over these, we will not be able to give it back. We can still go to the polls on Hindutva,” said a senior minister with strong ties to the RSS.
He also pointed out that the issues of hijab, halal and loudspeakers affected the core voter base of the BJP and it is better to contest elections on Hindutva than other issues and castes.
Bommai, who has made a lateral entry into the BJP, is personally not in favor of using the Hindutva card, but the ground reality is forcing him to go with the organisation, claim people close to him.
“To retain our core voters, Lingayats, the party high command has brought back BS Yediyurappa from retirement. This has made him a member of the Supreme Parliamentary Board and the Central Election Committee. But this alone does not guarantee our victory. It is not certain that all Lingayats will vote for BJP once again. Other Backward Classes (OBC) are mostly with us. There are about 100 castes in OBC. If they vote on the basis of caste then it will work against us. We need Hindutva to keep them together,” said another senior minister.
The Congress, which feels that the BJP is going to vote on Hindutva, has alleged that it is going to create communal tension across the state near the elections. Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah hit out at the BJP, claiming that it was spreading communal tension in hitherto peaceful areas of the state.
“The BJP knows that it cannot win elections on development as it is the most corrupt government in the history of Karnataka. If elections are fought on governance, they cannot win even 50 seats. So they are preparing to sprinkle communal poison in the state.
Congress’ powerful Lingayat leader MB Patil, who is also the chairman of the KPCC campaign committee, is touring the state, garnering the support of his community for the party. He has also challenged the BJP high command to declare Yeddyurappa as its CM candidate in the upcoming assembly elections. He argues that Lingayats will vote for the Congress in large numbers and they are no longer dependent on just one party or leader.
The state BJP leadership is also planning to invite UP Chief Minister and Hindutva face Yogi Adityanath to campaign in Karnataka elections.
Congress leader India pair of Rahul Gandhi TravelMeanwhile, entering Karnataka on 30th September. He will run from the crucial election state for 21 days. While the state Congress is excited about this hikingBJP is keeping a close watch on this.
The third party in the game – the JD(S) of the Gowda clan which had earlier shared power with both the BJP and the Congress – is sending mixed signals. It is playing the Kannada card these days to stay relevant and claim that it is a regional party committed to the supremacy of Kannada in all walks of life.
BJP’s possible return to Hindutva is likely to turn Karnataka into a communal puzzle.
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