Who is the Congress CM candidate in Karnataka?

The people of Karnataka have a right to know who will be the Chief Minister if they vote the Congress to power

M. Gautham Machaiah

With elections in the horizon, the people of Karnataka are expecting the winds of change to blow through the State, but is it not logical that they should know who their Chief Minister is going to be, before casting their votes?

The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have emerged as the principal opponents in Karnataka, while other parties like Janata Dal (Secular), Samajawadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) are set to play the role of spoil sports.

While the BJP has declared that B.S. Yediyurappa will be its chief ministerial candidate, the Congress has shied away from projecting any leader. Thus, when it comes to the BJP, a voter is aware well in advance what is in store for him, but with the Congress, it appears to be a cat and mouse game.

Will the party foist an unimpressive Dharam Singh as the Chief Minister, like it did in 2004? Will S.M. Krishna be in the hot seat? Will KPCC president Mallikarjun M. Kharge be given a chance to rule the State? Or, will a now low profile leader like former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily emerge as the dark horse? It is high time that the Congress high command made its mind clear.

The people have a right to know who their leader will be if they vote for the Congress. Why should they vote for a party which is headless? It is a sad state of affairs that a century old part is incapable or projecting a leader before going to the polls.

(Picture sourced from www.democracycellproject.net)

COMMENTS

In the Congress, it is the envelope from the high command and not duly elected legislators, which decides who should be the CM. With a plethora of leaders, the party can ill-afford to declare the CM in advance. But why bother about the Congress, when the BJP is sure to form the Government?
-Manohar Yedawatti, Bangalore

Democracy means both within and outside a party. Even a party president and other office bearers must be by election, not appointment as it happens now. The party nominees too must be chosen by election from within the party. In the same way, the MLAs of each party must elect their leader. The party with majority will form the government. By that logic, a party need not project its CM-candidate but can better leave it to its MLAs. A party naming a CM before polls is like undermining its wannabe MLAs' abilities to choose their leader.
-K.R. Balasubramanyam, Bangalore

Congress Chief Minister? Jaffer Sharief. He He.
-Manna Mandanna

What if the person projected as the Chief Ministerial candidate loses the elections like B S Yeddyurappa is destined to ?Besides, it is nonsensical to project a Chief Ministerial candidate. In true democratic spirit, people should elect the MLAs or the MPs, who in turn choose the Chief Minister or the Prime Minister. How can a party foist its "chosen" candidate for the post of Chief Minister on MLAs of the party on the pretext of discipline. It is worse than the tradition of Congress High Command to send a sealed cover containing the CM's name. Besides, it appears that the BJP's claim to power is that the issue of its Chief Minister is settled. They are making it out as though it is their pre-poll promise. Nonsense it is. How will it help the people?
-Desi

I am surprised to read the comments about internal democracy. Any one with an elementary knowledge of politics is aware that in the Congress, the MLAs have no role in electing the Chief Minister. For instance, in 2004 a majority of the MLAs elected S.M. Krishna as their leader, but the mantle finally fell on Dharam Singh.
As it has been rightly pointed out by one of your readers, in the Congress it is the envelope from the high command which decides who the Chief Minister should be. Under the circumstances, the people of the State have every right to know well in advance who their Chief Minister will be if they elect the Congress to power. If we are told that a person like Dharam Singh will lead the State, we would rather not vote for the party.
Readers who have made a mention about internal democracy also do not seem to be aware of the Constitutional provision. It is a settled practice that the Chief Minister should enjoy the confidence of the House. Nowhere, does the Constitution mention that he should be elected by the MLAs of his party. There is also no Constitutional bar on a party projecting an individual as the Chief Minister.
I would go a step further and suggest that India should shift to the Presidential system.
-A Journalist

The road to Devanahalli

By M. Gautham Machaiah

The media has been going hammer and tongs over the poor connectivity to the newly constructed Bangalore international airport at Devanahalli. Newspapers and television channels have estimated that it would take at least two to three hours to reach the airport from the city centre.

Two weeks ago, I decided to do a reality check. On a Saturday, I left MG Road at 11 am. At 11.45 flat, I was at the trumpet interchange leading to the airport. Agreed, the traffic is thin on a weekend, but two to three hours seems to a bit far fetched.

Once the ‘magic boxes’ which facilitate the free flow of traffic are in place, the drive should not exceed one hour. However, there are still some bottlenecks which need to be addressed.
The first is the junction at the erstwhile High Grounds police station, where one is confronted by an unending stream of traffic. The next potential nightmare is the road over the tackily contructed ‘magic box’ near Cauvery theatre which does not facilitate a smooth U-turn.

Numerous intersections dot the road up to Yelahanka which severely hamper the free flow of traffic. After Yelahanka, it is smooth drive up to the airport. Construction of flyovers, underpasses and skywalks at these intersections will guarantee a hassle free ride.

However, on reaching Devanahalli one notices that the trumpet interchange leading to the airport is still under construction. Which means, there is no decent approach to the airport from the highway. Under the circumstances, one wonders why the Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) has been pushing for an early inauguration.

Was it just to prove a point that the project was completed well within the deadline?

BIAL might have built a world class airport, but let us not forget that the cake is incomplete without the icing.

Poll blues: Early night for Bangalore pubs

By M. Gautham Machaiah

For the beleaguered pub and restaurant owners of Bangalore who have been complaining about the absence of a night life, the Assembly elections in Karnataka have come as the proverbial last straw on the camel’s back.

Restaurateurs and tipplers have for long been up-in-arms against the strict 11.30 pm deadline imposed by the government, in the Silicon city which works 24/7. Efforts by the Tourism department to get the deadline extended to at least 1 am have also come to a naught.

The early deadline coupled with a ban on dancing, have already taken their toll on Bangalore’s night life. Now, with elections round the corner, restaurants and pubs have been ordered to down their shutters not later than 11 pm.

The authorities perhaps apprehend a law and order problem if watering holes remain open till late in the night. But is it not their duty to maintain law and order? Such ham handed measures only point to the ineffectiveness of the law enforcing agencies.

It is no doubt prudent to prevent the sore, but would you cut your leg to avoid the sore?

Kharge to contest from Bangalore?

By M. Gautham Machaiah

Gossip mills run overtime during the election season. With Karnataka going to the polls in May 2008, speculation is rife that State Congress President Mallikarjun M. Kharge may contest from Pulakeshinagar (erstwhile Bharatinagar) in Bangalore, instead of his traditional stronghold, Gurmitkal in Gulbarga district.

Gurmitkal which was hitherto reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates has now been converted to a General constituency, with the re-drawing of the State’s political map by the Election Commission. Bharatinagar which was a General constituency, in its new avatar as Pulakeshinagar is reserved for SC.

Kharge is the undisputed king of Gurmitkal, having won eight elections in a row from 1972. With Gurmitkal now being thrown open to General candidates, Congress circles are abuzz with rumours that he has zeroed in on Pulakeshinagar.

However, such assumptions may be based on misconceptions. There is no bar on an SC candidate contesting from a General constituency. Thus, Kharge can continue to contest from Gurmitkal even under the changed circumstances.

With Kharge holding sway over this constituency for nearly four decades, there are not many who can take on him. Besides, with Gurmitkal being a Reserved constituency right from the first elections to date, it may be difficult to find a General candidate of Kharge’s stature.

Thus, the rumours not withstanding, Gurmitkal continues to be a safe bet for the Congress leader. But in politics, nothing is impossible. Time is the best judge. Until then, let us keep our fingers crossed.

Is RSS out to get Yeddy?

Grapevine says Yeddyurappa may contest from Tumkur, but BJP denies it

By M. Gautham Machaiah

Elections always provide a fertile breeding ground for political gossip. With the Assembly poll dates announced in Karnataka, the latest rumour is that the BJP’s chief ministerial candidate B.S. Yeddyurappa might prefer to contest from Tumkur, instead of his home constituency Shikaripura in Shimoga district.

According to grapevine, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha (RSS) is so offended with Yeddyurappa’s lust for power, that some of its members are leaving no stone unturned to ensure his defeat at the hustings. This is also said to have the tacit support of at least one senior BJP leader whose antipathy towards Yeddyurappa is well known.

The RSS apparently is piqued with Yeddyurappa, for promoting his own self-interest at the cost of the party. The first such instance was when the leader threatened to split the BJP and join the Janata Dal (Secular) with the sole intent of grabbing power in Karnataka. This, however, was averted following a meeting of the BJP Legislative Party (BJPLP) at Keshavashilpa, the RSS headquarters.

Ultimately, the JD(S) ditched its coalition partner, the Congress, to join hands with the BJP, catapulting Yeddyurappa to the Deputy Chief Minister’s seat. As per the power sharing agreement reached between the two partners, the JD(S) and BJP were to rule the State for an equal term of two years each.

However, when the JD(S) failed to honour its commitment at the end of two years, the BJP ministers submitted their resignation, leading to the collapse of the government and imposition of President’s rule in October this year. The BJP went hammer and tongs against the JD(S), unleashing a State-wide protest.

But the drama was yet to end. Even as a wave of sympathy engulfed the BJP, it once again got feelers from the JD(S) to kiss and make up. Yeddyurappa who was spewing fire and brimstone against JD(S) leaders meekly rushed back to Bangalore, much to the chagrin of many of his party colleagues.

On November 12, 2008, Yeddyurappa’s life long dream came true when he was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on the majestic steps of Vidhana Soudha. But his joy was short-lived with the JD(S) once again stabbing him on the back. On November 19, that is, barely eight days later, he had to submit his resignation after the JD(S) issued a whip to its members to vote against Yeddyurappa when the motion of confidence was moved in the Assembly. Indeed, a loss of face to both the BJP and Yeddyurappa.

Yeddyurappa was once again on the streets crying hoarse about the unethical behaviour of JD(S). But by then, much of the sympathy that the BJP had gained was lost. The BJP was seen by the people as just another party which would go to any length to share the spoils of power.

While Yeddyurappa’s bete noire in the BJP, Ananth Kumar, smirked at his adversary’s fall from grace, the RSS was equally miffed that the party had become a laughing stock in the eyes of the people. It is against this backdrop that some RSS members are said to be keen to rap the eight day wonder on his knuckles.

With murmurs that the RSS is working against Yeddyurappa gaining momentum, the BJP leader is said to be toying with the idea of contesting from Tumkur, instead of Shikaripura. Tumkur is considered a safe constituency due to the large Lingayat population, the community to which Yeddyurappa belongs.

However, senior BJP leaders are quick to denounce any such move. According to them, there is no question of Yeddyurappa shifting from Shimoga district which is considered a stronghold of the BJP. The RSS, Yeddyurappa and Ananth Kumar, have buried the hatchet in view of the forthcoming elections, these leaders claim, adding, “We will unitedly fight the polls.”

Whether or not Yeddyurappa decides to shift his constituency, these elections are sure to provide enough fodder for thought.