BJP’s aim at defeating Cong, rather than winning proved fatal

Point of view - B V SEETARAM

The coalition partners in the state government- the BJP and the JD(S) bit the dust in the by-elections to the prestigious Ullal assembly constituency. Many might have observed that the BJP which had cooperated with the Gowda and sons by not fielding its candidate in the Chamundeshwari bye-elections with a view to help JD(S) win the elections, had not been honest enough even to raise an objection when the JD(S) fielded its candidate against it in the Ullal bye-elections. The message was then clear that the JD(S) fielded its candidate following a request by the BJP itself. The ordinary voter had by then come to the conclusion that both the BJP and the JD(S) through an unholy alliance had plunged into the election fray with the ultimate objective of defeating their common enemy-the Congress. The fact that the BJP was operating with a negative approach of defeating the Congress, rather than aiming at its win, made it a villain in public eyes and in turn created a huge sympathy wave for Khader.
The BJP and the JD(S) had not once launched attack on each other during the campaigning. All their attacks were targeted at the Congress only. Shouldn’t the BJP have considered Congress and the JD(S) from the same angle during campaigning? Similarly, the JD(S) too should have launched an attack on the BJP and the Congress. As both the BJP and JD(S) did not hurl accusations against each other not even once by mistake, the voters had realized that the JD(S) was in the fray merely to help the BJP. Thus, there was a clear mandate against the coalition partners in the state government. Why the understanding between the JD(S) and BJP during the Chamundeshwari by-elections did not work in Ullal? Kumaraswamy and Yadiyurappa are answerable to the people of Ullal.
The BJP which had become quite notorious during the bundh and violence that took place in Mangalore, Ullal and other places in October last year, by fielding Chandrashekhar Uchil of Bhajrangdal, the hardcore organization of the Sangh Parivar, did nothing but add salt to the injury of Ullalites.
Though there was no consensus among local BJP leaders on fielding Uchil, he was finally chosen as the party candidate. Now the leaders who chose him to contest seem to have been enlightened that too after burning their fingers. Now, in a post-poll analysis, several BJP leaders are observing that the party had good chances of winning had it fielded Jayaram Shetty instead of Uchil.
As against the hardcore BJP candidate Uchil, the secular minded UT Khader was the natural choice of the electorate. Khader had not only secured Muslim votes, but also a significant number of Hindu votes. That is his plus point. His visiting religious shrines of all faiths after winning, reflects his secular nature. It seems Khader, who would go along well with members of all communities, can be termed Ajathashatru as far as Ullal is concerned. Ullalites feel Khader can be a Good Samaritan. The main reason for Khader’s choice is that he rushes to the aid of those in distress at any time.
Though I and Khader are not any old time friends, he was a good hearted man who visited me when I was in hospital after my arrest, courtesy the vested interests and religious mafia. Even after my release, he had been to my residence to enquire about my health. It would be injustice if I do not mention that at that moment, I saw a brotherly figure in this youth.
Khader, who was a voice of the people of Ullal and heard their grievances when his father was ailing and bedridden, was the natural choice for people of Ullal. People of Ullal hope that this young man can meet their aspirations. Even I personally have the faith that Khader may play an instrumental role in the progress of Ullal, by getting sanctioned record number of developmental works and by responding to the problems of the masses.

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No surprise if Ullal proves BJP’s Waterloo

After the JD(S) candidate in Ullal failed to even retain his deposit despite the Chief Minister plunging head on into a weeklong campaign by setting aside his other duties, it is time for Deve Gowda who speaking length about Ethics, dharma and Lakshmana Rekha in politics, to sit with his chief miter son and decide how far it is proper for their party to remain in power no. Even the cold response from the BJP to the defeat in Ullal polls, is a witness to the degradation of a values in the political field/
There is a chance of the Ullal election proving a waterloo for the BJP which lost by an impressive 8000 margin by proving wrong the general notion that any win in Ullal might be just be a margin of over a hundred votes. Deputy Chief Minister BS Yadiyurappa and sate BJP chief DV Sadananda Gowda must own up responsibility for the party’s debacle. The main reason is the refusal by both Yadiyurappa and Gowda for t he other faction in the BJP to plunge into campaigning.
Now there are party leaders who even argue that making Shobha Karandlaje, the Deputy CM’s right hand as the election-in charge proved fatal for the party. OIT is left to be seen how Shobha who is sensitive to criticisms would react to this allegation.
Whatever may be Yadiyurappa action, it is for sure that the other faction in the BJP which working overtime to refuse the chief ministerial post to the Yadiyurappa might make use of the Ullal results to achieve its objective.
Deve Gowda who is already greatly worried over the damage which his party’s secular image would face if JD(S) took part in the coalition government led by Yadiyurappa is already suggesting his two sons that it would be better to face mid-term elections rather than associate with the BJP.
Amidst all this confusion there is the question as to how may more days this coalition government would last. One thing is for sure that the State government has already been admitted to the ICU!

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