Bangalore: BJP started as a minority government in 2008 and ‘Operation Lotus’ has only one goal, to snatch as many MLAs from opposition parties as possible towards BJP to make a majority of sorts.
Three years went by in controversies and clouded atmosphere of allegations and counter-charges.
There were frequent in-fights within the cabinet and legislature party, driving CM Yeddyurappa to the brink of a fall, but he clung hard to his seat.
People nearest to him in the party (half a dozen of them) had criticised and plotted against him, in spite of his plans and projects conceived to take Karnataka to the top in India.
But administration was loose and yes, corrupt. The hopes lie in future, to weed out all corrupt methods, and establish good governance. Karnataka has a Lokayukta, the best among the lot, who is in the drafting committee on the national Jan Lokpal Bill.
The CM came close to imposition of a president’s rule, in his fight with state governor who wanted his dismissals.
But gods were kind to him (CM) who was visiting umpteen temples, even as a Lingayat. His party high command protected him, although same of the top leaders (Advani, Sushma and Ananth) hated him, and wanted to see him off.
The congress conducted several smart campaigns against him, and JD-S called him several names, or ridiculed him. But CM survived, even when the Apex Court passed strictures against him and the speaker in a case. He is now becoming a legend in politics.
All the same, BJP made electoral gains from GP to ZP, and 3 by-polls, BBMP, and MCC in table-turning events.
BJP brought several schemes for farmers, senior citizens, women, students, and the poor in housing food loans, pensions, insurance, and studies. These were overshadowed by legal controversies, and marred by scans in mining, nepotism, and land acquisition. CM needs time only to think of good governance and implementation of plans set out by him in the next 2 years.
He must activate 19 MPs of Karnataka to provide Central support to his rule. CM is now watched by every-body that matters in BJP, UPA and the courts.