If there is something that has overshadowed the Twenty20 World Cup win in Karnataka, it has to be the political scenario in the state. The past two days once could witness parties doing a flip flop and promises vanishing in thin air.
The scenario:
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, son of Janata Dal (Secular) supremo and former Prime Minister Deve Gowda, had entered into an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka and formed a government.
The government was formed 20 months back allegedly without the knowledge of the father, who did not take matters lightly. However as time passed, he came to terms with his son aligning with the BJP.
While forming the government both the JD-S and the BJP had agreed that they will have their chief minister for 20 months each. It was decided that the JD-S would have their chief minister first and at the end of 20 months, the BJP would install its chief minister.
October 3 2007 is the D-Day in Karnataka politics when the 20-month tenure of Kumaraswamy as chief minister comes to an end. However, with barely four days remaining, the JD-S has done a flip-flop and said that the power transfer will not take place, thanks to a statement by a BJP minister, Sriramulu, who had alleged that the CM had tried to kill him.
Deve Gowda says the BJP ought to sort out its internal differences before power is handed over. Kumaraswamy says that if the BJP behaves in this manner without power, then one could imagine what they would do if power is handed over.
This is not the first time that a leader from the BJP has tried to derail the government.
Barely two months after the coalition was formed, BJP legislator Janardhan Reddy charged the chief minister with corruption. After several hiccups, the government overcame the crisis and things have been smooth ever since.
The next few days will be very interesting as the fate of the government is expected to be decided. Will power be transferred or will the people have to go to polls is the million dollar question? Well, it all depends on some of the key players who can either make or break the government in Karnataka.
Key Players:
H D Deve Gowda: Considered to be the Bheeshma Pitamah of the JD-S, it is said that no
decision can ever be taken in the party without his consent. Even the coup by the son was staged managed by him, sources claim.
In the coming days, he is the one who will be calling the shots from behind the scene.
Moreover, he will also be the one who will be holding talks with the BJP leaders in Delhi. Gowda it is learnt is not in favour of a mid term poll in the state. The idea behind creating this ruckus is only to increase