#KarnatakaCMRace: The season of ‘destination politics’ begins

The destination is now clear. Indian National Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) Members of Legislative Assembly will be stationed in Hyderabad to protect themselves from the onslaught of Operation Lotus 2.0.

Of course, the bigger thing they have all come together to protect is their collective grab for power. The decision comes after multiple places like Kerala and Punjab were touted as the choice of ‘destination politics’. (A little birdie told us the MLAs will be lodged in Park Hyatt in Hyderabad.)

Last night’s developments shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, though.

At 9:45 pm on May 16, a day after the results were declared, former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader R Ashok had told this correspondent: “When the time will come, we will prove our majority [in the House].” When asked how the BJP would manage this, given that it’s at least eight MLAs short of the magic 112 figure, he said, “How did the Congress party manage to get the majority? [Takes a pause and adds] We will do whatever is required. Don’t worry, we will get the numbers.”

The mandi of legislators in Karnataka was set and ‘resort politics’ — though we really prefer the term ‘destination politics’ — was back in the state. While the BJP will try to “secure” Opposition legislators, the Congress-JD(S) will have to protect its flock. Together the Congress-JD(S) combine has at least 117 members – including two independent legislators – on their side.  These MLAs are supporting HD Kumaraswamy’s stake to form the government.

Yesterday, BJP’s Yeddyurappa took oath as the CM of Karnataka. The BJP has got a 15-day window to prove the majority on the floor of the House unless the Supreme Court intervenes today. On May 17, soon after Yeddyurappa’s oath-taking ceremony, Congress and JD(S) legislators along with former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, Malikarjun Kharge, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ashok Gehlot sat on a dharna right in front of the Gandhi statue in the Vidhan Soudha. The idea was to show strength and send the message that both the Congress and JD(S) MLAs are one.

In situations like this, Congress leader and former minister DK Shivakumar takes over the reins. As expected, Shivkumar was managing the entire show [read protest] in front of the Gandhi statue. Soon after, these legislators were shepherded into three buses like errant school children.

Shivakumar told Newslaundry, “We are hopeful that the Supreme Court’s decision will come in our favour.” If that does not happen, the Congress-JDS leadership will have to ensure that their MLAs are safe and away from any point of contact with the BJP leadership for the next 15 days.

Kumaraswamy has alleged that several JD(S) MLAs were offered Rs 100 crore to support the formation of BJP government in the state. “Offers have been made to different JD(S) legislators through indirect sources. There are at least 10-15 MLAs who have been contacted by their well-wishers and friends, who are close to the BJP, with offers ranging from Rs 50 to 100 crore in lieu of extending support to the BJP,” claimed JD(S) leader and Chamundeshwari legislator, GT Deve Gowda. He is the man who defeated the incumbent CM Siddaramaiah.

Meanwhile, sources in the BJP said the last resort would be to focus on MLAs who have shifted from either the Congress or BJP to JD(S) or Congress. The strategy is to identify them and break them away.

It is important to note that Congress MLA Anand Singh was missing on the day of the results. Singh, a former BJP MLA and minister, is said to be close to the Reddy Brothers and won from Vijayanagar in Bellary district from a Congress ticket. He is one of the richest politicians of Karnataka with assets worth over Rs 100 crore. Shivakumar, however, claimed that Singh was “in touch with the party and shall appear when required.” Another senior Congress leader said, “We already have two independents on our side.” Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy had alleged that the Narendra Modi government was using Enforcement Directorate to threaten Singh.

R Shankar, who was brought to the alliance’s fold by Shivakumar, also seems to be a kamzor kadi (weak link). On May 16, he had extended his support to Yeddyurappa, however, hours later he returned to the Congress’ fold.     

Contrary to rumours, the JD(S) has been able to keep its flock intact. Meanwhile, the Congress party is prepared for all sorts of crackdowns. During Patel’s Rajya Sabha election, 64 properties related to Shivakumar were raided by the Income Tax department.

AICC leader and Karnataka Congress in charge KC Venugopal told this correspondent, “We are expecting no mercy from this government at the Centre. We know that it [the resort] is going to be raided and there will be a crackdown by the state machinery under the pressure from the BJP.” When asked why the Congress was confining its own MLAs in a resort, Rajya Sabha leader of the Opposition, Ghulam Nabi Azad, told this correspondent: “When thieves are all around, what do you do?”

A similar line of argument was taken by JD(S)’ CM-in-waiting Kumaraswamy, “In the interest of safeguarding my MLAs and party’s interest, I will do whatever is required.”

All eyes are now on the Supreme Court — will it provide a relief to the Congress-JDS combine or will team Yeddyurappa take over “God’s work”, as the motto of Karnataka Assembly says, over the next 15 days.