Bengaluru: Despite Former Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa losing the chair, he is in an advantageous position after installing his close aide Basavaraj Bommai as Chief Minister. Initially when rumours were spread about BSY stepping down, his opponents in party were happy and a few leaders were eyeing the CM’s chair. These leaders even went to Delhi for lobbying.
Sources stated that Yediyurappa came to an understanding with high command that they should appoint next CM of his choice if he steps down and this was kept confidential. Unaware about this development, 4 – 5 aspirants lobbied for Chief Minister’s post. BSY was pivotal in bringing the party to power in South India. It is said that even before his appointment as CM in 2019, the party high command had told that he should resign after a year as the party strictly follows 75 year age limit. But BSY continued in power for two more years due to his charisma.
Yediyurappa’s demerit is that he quit party and formed KJP by throwing principles of Sangh Parivar into air. Though no leader complained about functioning of Yediyurappa, few leaders strongly opposed his son B. Y. Vijayendra for interfering in administration. There is also allegations that even ministers and legislators requested him to grant funds for their constituency. This situation increased dissatisfaction among legislators. Later the legislators started complaining against BSY in media and then to high command. Vijayapura legislator Basavanagouda Patil Yatnal waged war against BSY, his only demand was to unseat him.
On other hand, BSY was not in good terms with BJP National Organising Secretary B. L. Santhosh , a man from RSS. Initially party leaders thought B. L. Santhosh would replace BSY. Even many BJP legislators started meeting Santhosh while latter visited Bengaluru thinking he would be the future CM. Few opponent MLAs of BSY pushed legislator Aravind Bellad’s name for Chief Minister’s post. His video biodata widely circulated on WhatsApp on Monday projecting him as CM.
But Yediyurappa thwarted all the plans of his opponents by making Basavaraja Bommai as the CM. Thus he has proved his strong hold in BJP. Even after selection of CM the tough issue of cabinet expansion is yet to be faced by the BJP. The 17 legislators who migrated from Congress and JDS are sticking due to ministerial berth promised by BSY. But it is reported that party high command has plans to remove many ministers for under performance. This would lead to rebellion in party particularly from migrated MLAs. However the 17 MLAs have good faith in BSY. It looks like this factor has made high command not to sideline BSY in future also.
Though most thought that stepping down is a setback for BSY, it proved untrue, as infact he has triumphed by making his close aide Bommai as CM, thus becoming a king-maker.
