Karnataka: Operation Kamala-II plans come a cropper

As the saying goes BJP won the battle but lost the war. Party had won 104 seats, defeating the ruling Congress in a bitterly-contested assembly polls, but failed to mobilise adequate support to cross the halfway mark of 111 in the 224-member state assembly.

BJP was rejoicing its victory in Karnataka for consolidating position in the south ahead of 2019 general elections. The coming together of Congress and Janata Dal (S) with the former leaving CM post to Kumaraswamy rattled the BJP. It had no option perhaps but to be seen to be making a sincere effort to install BS Yeddyurappa, party's tallest leader in the state and a Lingayat, as the CM. The party wanted to mobilise the community, its core vote base, which was lately being wooed by Congress.

Yeddyurappa staked the claim to form the government hoping that with friends in all parties, he will be in a comfortable position to meet the shortfall and sail through the trust vote. Besides, BJP banked heavily on Yeddyurappa's stature as the tallest Lingayat leader who will be able to win over Lingayat community legislators from Congress in particular and also from the JD(S). Besides, he along with his loyalists can lure JD(S) leader HD Kumarswamy's brother HD Revenna and thereby split the party.

Yeddyurappa and his team went whole hog to reach out to some Congress and JD(S) MLAs, directly or through their associates, convincing them how the alliance between the two won't last long while BJP would provide a stable government. BJP was determined to repeat 'Operation Kamala' — the process of convincing MLAs from the rival camps to resign and then contest the bypolls on BJP ticket. This was carried out by BJP in 2008 for the survival of its then dispensation.

From union minister Prakash Javdekar to Yeddy loyalist Shobha Karandlaje to B Sriramulu were assigned by the party to toe its line that the CM will prove majority and it was a foregone conclusion. Karandlaje went on to declare that the party has a support of 120 legislators — nine more than the required 111. On his part, Sriramulu, known to be extremely close to mining baron Reddy brothers, was reiterating that two independents R Shankar and H Nagesh will vote for the party.

However, Congress and JD(S) put up a show of unity and took every efforts to foil BJP's attempt to increase its tally and win the trust vote. They alleged that BJP led Central government was brought into action to exert pressure on Congress and JDS legislators. Congress released three audio and video clips to prove is claim that how BJP was allegedly promising money, crucial posts and providing relief from various police and court cases.

Accepting his inability to mobilise necessary support, Yeddyurappa stepped down hinting that he will revive and help BJP win all 28 Lok Sabha seats and 150 assembly seats in coming elections.

Know Kamala Ops

• Operation Kamala was carried out by BJP in 2008 for the survival of its then dispensation.
• It aims at convincing rival MLAs to resign and then contest the bypolls on BJP ticket.