archive: A spring in BJP's step to gain foothold in Karnataka
A spring in BJP's step to gain foothold in Karnataka
H. S. Balram
The Times of India
June 28, 1999
Title: A spring in BJP's step to gain foothold in Karnataka
Author: H. S. Balram
Publication: The Times of India
Date: June 28, 1999
The BJP has al-ways considered Karnataka as its launching pad to prove
its mark in the South. In no other state below the Vindhyas has the
party a strong presence as in Karnataka. Though the state has been
the bastion of the Congress for many years, seized intermittently by
the Janata Dal, the BJP has been slowly but steadily strengthening its
base. Will Karnataka help the party in realising its dream of forming
its first government in the South in the coming elections? Party
leaders seem to be confident but they do admit that the Congress is a
major stumbling block.
In 1994, the BJP came close to forming a government in the state but
fell short of a majority as Mr Ramakrishna Hegde, in the company of
then-friend-now-foe Mr Deve Gowda, resurrected a dying Janata Dal and
swept the polls. The Congress suffered a humiliating defeat.
When Mr Hegde was expelled from the Dal, the BJP roped him in and
entered into an alliance with his Lok Shakti. It worked. In the last
Lok Sabha elections, while Mr Hegde succeeded in demolishing Mr
Gowda's base in the state, the BJP grabbed a large number of seats.
In about three months from now, the state will face two crucial
elections - one for the Lok Sabha and another for the assembly. The
Election Commission is yet to take a decision on whether to hold them
together or separately. While the Congress and the BJP favour
simultaneous polls, the ruling Dal is opposing it.
In the last three years, the Congress has made a remarkable recovery,
beginning with the stunning victory in the Ramanagaram assembly
constituency, vacated by Mr Gowda on becoming Prime Minister. The
victory in fact heralded the countdown for the Dal's fall and the
comeback of the Congress. Anti-Dal votes helped the BJP too. It came
close to the Congress in the race. In subsequent by-elections in the
state, both the Congress and the BJP did well.
With the Dal neck-deep in problems of its own making, the race for
power in Karnataka looks to be between the Congress and the BJP. The
Congress is hoping to cash in on what it calls the poor performance of
the Dal government in the state and the BJP-led coalition at the
Centre. BJP leaders cite several factors to confirm their confidence
that they will make it this time:
* Vajpayee's image: The image of Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee is high
in Karnataka. Even bitter critics of the BJP adore him.
That his government was brought down by just one vote has evoked
sympathy among the people. His efforts at improving relations with
neighbouring countries have attracted a lot of appreciation. Partymen
feel that they can capitalise on this factor to attract voters.
* Sonia's origin: Mrs Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin has come in handy
for the BJP to denigrate the Congress, its close rival. Partymen make
it a point to raise this issue at every forum.
So strong is the BJP campaign that Congressmen have stopped projecting
her as the Prime ministerial candidate. It will be decided after the
elections, they say.
* Kargil issue: Though BJP leaders do not admit it openly, they feel
that the Vajpayee's government's handling of the Kargil issue has
boosted the party's image and it is certain to reap rich dividends.
That rival parties are forced to support the government's action in
Kargil has brought cheer to the BJP camp.
* Performance of previous governments: BJP leaders say that the people
of the state are fed up with both the Congress and the Dal. The
Congress was thrown out of power in 1994 as infighting plagued the
party. The Dal, which succeeded the Congress, is no different. The
BJP feels that the people may turn to it this time.
The BJP is, however, conscious of a few negative factors. The
activities of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal in the state and else-where
and the BJP's inability to contain them have harmed the party. A
majority of the Muslim community continues to view the BJP with
suspicion.
And, a large population of Christians in the state, hurt by the recent
attacks on their community, are likely to keep off the BJP in the
coming elections. Added to these is the uneasy relationship that the
party has with Mr Hegde's Lok Shakti. Problems may arise during
distribution of tickets.
The state leadership is confident of weathering these storms. Its
main worry is the Congress which, under the leadership of Mr S.M.
Krishna, is fully geared up for the big fight. As far as chief
ministership is concerned, BJP president Yediyurappa is happy that Mr
Hegde has opted out of the race. He is sure to don the mantle if the
party emerges victorious.
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