Karnataka reveals perils of fast-tracking to political power (Letter from Bangalore)

BANGALORE - Karnataka is fast acquiring the dubious distinction of being a state where frequent by-polls to the assembly are a norm. The blame in large measure falls on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which came to power for the first time in Karnataka in May 2008 and saw it as a gateway to rule south India.

Since the BJP took power, 10 Congress and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) legislators have quit the assembly, necessitating by-polls, seven of which have been held.

The seven lawmakers who quit the Congress and JD-S in 2008 and in 2009 contested the by-elections as BJP nominees and won, giving the party a majority - 117 members in the 225-strong assembly that includes one nominated member.

Three more by-polls will have to be held soon as two Congress and one JD-S legislator resigned in the last one week, allegedly lured by the BJP with huge sums of money.

The BJP had won 110 seats in the May 2008 polls and formed the government with the support of six Independents.

To reduce dependence on the Independents, the BJP was widely believed to have gone on the fast track to acquire majority on its own and launched Operation Lotus (lotus is its election symbol) to lure Congress and JD-S legislators. Its attempt has been successful so far.

There is speculation that several more Congress and JD-S legislators may resign as the two parties claim the BJP is offering between Rs.25 crore and Rs.50 crore to those switching loyalties.

BJPs success in getting the majority in the assembly has, however, come at a heavy price — pushing the once well-governed Karnataka into becoming a state with innumerable assembly by-polls caused by defectors.

The last six years have been particularly hard for the people.

There were two shortlived coalition governments - Congress-JD-S from 2004-2006, JD-S-BJP in 2006-2008, assembly polls in 2008, a year ahead of schedule, and no clear winner from that election to form a stable ministry.

BJPs strategy to consolidate power with its Operation Lotus has begun to boomerang on the party. If it got the majority on its own, the ministerial berths to newcomers has left old timers in the party angry, frustrated and neglected.

A cabinet shuffle Sep 22 triggered the present, and second major rebellion, against Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa. The chief minister sacked three ministers, one of whom was an Independent, and inducted six into the ministry.

Just a fortnight after the shuffle, 11 party legislators, some of who joined BJP from the Congress and JD-S, and five Independents, four of whom were ministers, rebelled against Yeddyurappa, reducing his government to a minority. He was forced to seek the trust vote in the assembly.

The 16 rebels have been disqualified under an anti-defection law and their appeals against it are pending in high court.

Yeddyurappa won two trust votes in three days. The first Oct 11 was amid bedlam while the second Oct 14 was more orderly with a vote count of 106 in favour and 100 against him.

However, Yeddyurappa and BJP face an uphill journey in restoring Karnatakas image as a well administered state with a stable government and dignified lawmakers.