Karnataka: Why BJP MLAs are disappointed with party high command
Some disgruntled MLAs have threatened not to attend the assembly's winter session unless Leader of Opposition is appointed by then
Nearly six months after it lost power, the BJP has failed to appoint Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka legislature, leading to disaffection against the top leadership and within the cadres.
BJP MLAs say they are "sick and tired" of hearing the unending taunts of Congress legislators about the main Opposition party’s failure to appoint its leader in the House.
Some disgruntled legislators have told former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa they won’t attend the assembly’s winter session in Belagavi in December unless Leader of Opposition is appointed by then. The situation is so bad, said party sources that the equally demoralised rank and file are refusing to take up organisational work.
A BJP MLA told The Federal that while the party high command wants them to be aggressive vis-à-vis the Congress government, the absence of Leader of Opposition in the assembly is coming in the way.
Four factions
There are four main factions in the Karnataka BJP, each led by Yediyurappa (Veerashaiva Lingayat), BL Santosh (Brahmin), Basanagouda Patil Yatnal (Panchamasali Lingayat) and R Ashok (Vokkaliga). Of these, the first two are the dominant factions.
None of the groups is willing to accept the leadership of any of the other factions although Yediyurappa remains the most popular leader of the BJP in Karnataka, its only stronghold in southern India.
The Congress taunts apart, the absence of a House leader means there are no inner-party discussions ahead of an assembly session. In the process, there is a lack of coordination among BJP MLAs. The problem is such that the Janata Dal (Secular), which finished a poor third in the May elections, often outscores the BJP in the assembly proceedings.
BJP sources say Yediyurappa has been asked by the MLAs to convey their collective anger to the BJP national leadership. This week, a visibly frustrated BSY, as the former chief minister is widely known, admitted that he had taken up the matter with BJP national president JP Nadda. “He promised to act as soon as possible,” he said.
Upset MLAs
BJP sources said the national leadership’s attitude has upset BSY but he is unable to rectify the situation. Since May when the BJP lost power, two assembly sessions have taken place without the Leader of Opposition. Now the winter session is coming up.
An MLA from the BSY camp said: “Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is trying to lead the BJP in the assembly but it is embarrassing as we don't have an official leader. This has made us think about taking part in the Belagavi winter session.”
A former BJP minister added: “I think our central leadership is confused. This may affect the party in the parliamentary elections also.” Another BJP MLA, who like the others did not want to be named, was equally bitter. “No matter what the failure of the Karnataka government, they shut our mouths by teasing us for not having a leader. How long can this insult be tolerated?”
Demoralised cadres
Raju Patil, a BJP worker, said there was no point plunging oneself into party work until the leaders displayed maturity and elected a House leader.
This is the reason, he said, that a planned BJP poster campaign against the Congress government failed to take off. “We hope the central leadership finds a solution soon,” commented a senior BJP leader, pleading anonymity.
