Expect the Unexpected

It's the hottest rumour in Karnataka today. That BS Yediyurappa's dream of heading the coalition government in Karnataka will die a stillborn death. The political chess game has well and truly begun, a good six months before the expiry date of HDK's Regime.

Political animals have already noted the perilous moves of that master manipulator, Sri Deve Gowda, who is breathing fire right royally once again against his bitter bete noire, the "communal" BJP. If you don't see a board outside his residence saying, "Work in Progress: Do not Disturb", it doesn't mean the Gowda patriarch is dozing - or spending sleepless nights even. Gowda is very much active, on the prowl, and restless to protect his turf (read his progenies) from a resurgent BJP.

By the way, does anyone remember that when his favorite son supped with the devil (BJP) to become the chief minister, Gowda had described it as the saddest day of his life, and had even threatened to end his life? Well, seems that Gowda remembers, which jells nicely with his present agenda against the communal friend-turned-foe. It seems more likely that the Saddest Day of My Life Version 2.0 would be when son Kumaraswamy gives way to the BJP, come October.

Going by recent events, October may well be a case of sour grapes for Yediyurappa and the BJP. Consider the recent blitzkrieg of events on the political landscape: As HDK prepares his last leg of the lap as CM, rumours abound about a fresh JD(S)-Congress tieup. The timing is perfect, sending shivers in saffron ranks. HDK fans the fire further observing rather mysteriously that "anything is possible" and that "politics is not stagnant water". This has his deputy BSY quite literally in hot waters. A terrified BSY sends his trusted lieutenant Industries Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu to Varanasi to appease the gods and save his dream from becoming a nightmare. But can you broker a deal with the gods just because you can't do it with your friends turned foes and foes turned friends? We'll have the answer shortly.

Deve Gowda sets tongues wagging, firing another fresh offensive against the wannabe pretender to the throne. BSY is immature and unfit to be CM, he declares, not giving a thought to whether saying so was indeed a sign of maturity? He is preventing my son from doing good work to the lower classes, he observes churlishly (whatever that means). Is it really true that the BJP is playing spoilsport, for its own government, you wonder. The CM responds with a tellingly enigmatic, "No comment".