Karnataka ULB polls and the way forward for the state BJP

Urban local body polls are representative of only around 30% of the state's electorate and do not in anyway reveal the trend for the upcoming assembly elections. ULB polls are fought mostly on local factors. But it clearly indicates the presence of an anti-incumbency wave against the ruling BJP government. 

The 5 years of BJP rule in the state has been a tale of extreme cases of nepotism, casteism and corruption. Today, an average BJP karyakarta is not in a position to go out and campaign for their leaders. I have personally spoken to 2 RSS leaders who have decided to stay neutral in the upcoming assembly polls. That said, I must also point out that there is no Congress-wave as such in the state. At best it will be a mixed verdict. But the Congress is clearly in a better position than it was in 2008.

Few BJP supporters have suggested that the party can only prosper if Yeddyurappa is brought back to the party fold. Yeddyurappa has clearly moved on and has made scathing remarks against RSS and the BJP central leadership in the last few months. It will backfire if the party succumbs to Yeddyurappa sympathizers and tries to woo him. One of the party leaders told me that Yeddyurappa's greatest achievement was that he made even the RSS leaders aware of their castes.

BJP clearly hasn't lost everything in the state and might retain its present tally in the parliamentary elections of 2014 if it implements the following measures.

1. Strict action against Yeddyurappa sympathizers within the party even if it means bringing down the government.
2. Give Jagadish Shettar a free hand in the assembly campaign.
3. Anant Kumar and Eshwarappa should not be allowed to make important decisions within the party in the run-up to the assembly elections.
4. Few of the state level RSS leaders who have been making important decisions at the government-level should be kept away.
5. Do not welcome ex-legislators from other parties.
6. Field new faces in the assembly elections and back them fully to build the party from the grassroots.
7. BJP leadership should tender unconditional apology to the people of Karnataka for the misgovernance and charges of corruption.
8. Do not bring in Modi to campaign for the assembly elections because it is clearly a lost cause for the BJP in the state. That might do harm to his national image.
9. Do not resort to extreme caste politics and keep the Hindutva agenda alive. 
10. RSS leadership in the state needs a complete overhaul too.
11. Do not make any covert deals with Reddy brothers.
12. BJP should make an honest attempt to re-build the party from the grassroots, acknowledge the hard work of loyal BJP workers and stay far away from unscrupulous elements.

The above measures will help the party retain quality leadership. It will also enthuse party workers for the 2014 campaign. If the Congress forms the next government in the state it will be clearly ADVANTAGE BJP in 2014 since the anti-incumbency wave would have already set in after one year of governance since the state Congress is a divided house with at least 6 CM aspirants.


'One has to lose many battles to win a war' should be the motto of the state BJP.



Photo Courtesy: The Hindu