All eyes on K’taka bypoll as BSY govt hangs by thread

NEW DELHI: Is byelections in Karnataka one of the reasons why the BJP is playing cautiously in neighbouring Maharashtra? Winning half, or at least six, of the 15 seats in the bypoll on December 5 in what is being called as “mini Assembly elections in Karnataka” is crucial for the BS Yediyurappa government hanging on for life by a slim majority.

BS Yediyurappa

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 13

Is byelections in Karnataka one of the reasons why the BJP is playing cautiously in neighbouring Maharashtra? Winning half, or at least six, of the 15 seats in the bypoll on December 5 in what is being called as “mini Assembly elections in Karnataka” is crucial for the BS Yediyurappa government hanging on for life by a slim majority. In those terms, today’s Supreme Court judgment will not just has a bearing on the future of the 15 of 17 disqualified MLAs but also future of the BJP government.

The Supreme Court today upheld the order of former Karnataka Assembly Speaker disqualifying 17 MLAs. However, it struck down portion of the Speaker’s order that said the MLAs would remain disqualified till end of tenure of 15th Karnataka Assembly. Both the sides — CM Yediyurrappa and Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah — called it their victory.

Currently, the BJP has the support of 106 MLAs, including an Independent, in the 225-member Assembly while the Opposition — the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Congress, who were outsmarted by Yediyurappa have around 100 MLAs (101 if the BSP MLA is also accounted). Now that these disqualified MLAs can contest, the BJP will be required to win at least six of the 15 seats to remain relevant in the state that witnessed the most dramatic “resort” politics a few months back.

So while some may see today’s SC verdict as “relief” for Yediurappa, the fact is he needs to get the numbers to stay in power. Apparently, there is underlying “anger” against these Congress-JD(S) MLAs among those who sent them to the Assembly in May 2018. This could be a cause of concern for the BJP which does not have a very encouraging track record so far as byelections go.

While these rebels are expected to contest as BJP candidates the question is whether the people will be as open to them now. This could be one of the reasons, apart from the obvious ones, why the BJP did not seem acting too aggressive in the neighbouring Maharashtra — a state it cannot afford to lose.