BJP faces a storm within

By Vinay Madhava Gowda

With the term of the state legislature due to end early next year, the ruling BJP is torn apart by demands for a cabinet reshuffle and change of leadership. While one section of the ruling party is waiting for a change of CM, a couple of other groups are waiting for a cabinet reshuffle so that they can become ministers.

Though each group claims to have the blessings of the party central leadership as well as Sangh Parivar leaders, the fact is that neither the BJP top brass, nor the Sangh Parivar is interested in making any changes to the present setup. At the most, they may allow the filling up of four vacant posts after four to five months, which will be in the run up to the elections.

Talk of a change of leadership is being heard only in the camp of former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa while other Lingayat leaders like Murugesh Nirani are aspiring to become Chief Minister making the best of this confusion.

Yediyurappa, while stepping down as CM, wanted to ensure his control over any future government. He was never in favour of any other Lingayat leader becoming CM as he wanted his son B.Y. Vijayendra to inherit the Lingayat mantle. The BJP leadership on the other hand wanted to bid adieu to the community leadership concept and so chose Yediyurappa’s close associate, Bommai to checkmate BSY himself. Besides, the ED raid on Yediyurappa’s close associates forced him against taking any drastic step against the party.

Meanwhile, there is a demand from many quarters for a cabinet reshuffle. This has created a tussle within the BJP, where each group is trying to prove its credibility. Besides, there is a cry for caste and regional representation also.

Leading the campaign for berths are two Lingayat leaders -- Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and M. P. Renukacharya. Their main contention is that senior leaders like R. Ashok, K. S. Eshwarappa and Umesh Katti should be assigned party work, so that those deprived of ministerial slots can get a chance. It remains to be seen if the top brass will risk opening a Pandora’s Box when polls are just a year away. (The author is a senior journalist)