Karanataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa seems to be in a hurry. Barely two days after being sworn in, not only has he taken some important decisions but also managed to rub his coalition partner and the Opposition on the wrong side.
A free bicycle scheme, transfer of officials, distribution of ration cards and development of airports at Gulbarga and Shimoga -- all these decisions were taken in the absence of its coalition partner, the Janata Dal-Secular.
While Yeddyurappa may be trying to drive across a message that he intends doing work since day one, his predecessor, H D Kumaraswamy is unhappy.
Kumaraswamy says the decisions taken by Yeddyurappa have far-reaching consequences and it is not right for him to work in such a hurry.
"Why is he in such a hurry," Kumaraswamy asks.
The JD-S says that Yeddyurappa will have to go slow for some time -- at least till the JD-S joins the state government. Moreover, the 'big daddy' of Karnataka politics, H D Deve Gowda, too is watching the developments closely. The decision by Yeddyurappa to transfer officials will not be viewed kindly by Gowda, who had in 12 conditions stated that all transfers ought to be done in consultation with the JD-S.
All decisions have been taken by a five-member
cabinet, including the chief minister. The JD-S feels the BJP should wait for them to join the government before such decisions are taken. The party also feels that the BJP should slow down on its decision making till Yeddyurappa passes the floor test.
While the decision-making has irked the JD-S, the Congress is up in arms against Yeddyurappa for performing
puja (prayers) in his official chambers after being sworn in as the chief minister. Yeddyurappa has been facing problems with his chamber. When he had taken over as deputy chief minister 21 months ago, a major issue had cropped up when he allegedly moved a photograph of Dr B R Ambedkar out of his chamber. He, however, clarified that the photograph had not been removed permanently, but had been taken out so that it could be dusted.
This time around the Congress says that the chief minister's office is a public place and no rituals should be conducted. The Congress is of the view that performing such rituals could hurt the sentiments of those who do not believe in them.