ADVANTAGE BJP

The Political T20 in Karnataka may have ended in a stalemate with both the two contestants the BJP and the JD(S) out of power, but as far as the people of Bangalore are concerned, there seems no confusion as to which way the future is headed in the State.

A dipstick poll conducted by TWB about whom they would vote it in the event of elections clearly showed the BJP is way ahead in the political rat race. A whopping 80% of the 70 respondents overall said they would vote for the BJP primarily because it had been deprived of power by its alliance partner, and also because one could not take away credit from it for the good governance provided by the Kumaraswamy government.

Clearly, the sympathy vote is swinging towards the saffron party and the JD(S) is seen as the Great Betrayer, and is paying for its sins of going back on its promise. As far as the Congress is concerned, it may have to rest content with the third largest place, as the JD(S), despite the Betrayer tag, may pull in some significant votes on the back of its good governance under HD Kumaraswamy’s chief ministership. Excerpts of some opinions:

Vishnu Shetty, Businessman: The voters will definitely be swayed by the betrayal of the JD(S) and its failure to keep its word to the BJP. Twenty months ago, HK Kumaraswamy became the CM after promising the BJP that he would transfer the power to it for the next 20 months, but failed to keep his word. The people should give a fitting reply to such parties who don’t value their commitment. It’s nothing but third rate behaviour by the JD(S). The voters should also have a two-party system so that it will bring in political stability to the state.

John Dexter, Software Engineer: I think the JD(S) should be really ashamed of itself for ditching the BJP so brazenly. The Gowda clan seem to have a very thick skin indeed. By going back on a promise publicly made to the BJP, they have shown their utter contempt for probity in public life. No wonder Deve Gowda is often described as a 24/7 politician, only interested in scheming and dealing. The BJP certainly deserves a chance and the people should vote them to power by giving them a clear majority. Coalition governments are too handicapped to provide good administration.

Vicky, Employee of IFB: I would rather vote for BJP, than for any other party. Not just on sympathy grounds, but to give them an opportunity in the south to asses their administration skills. We have seen the other two parties viz. the JD(S) and Congress in power, now it is only fair we try out the BJP. In any event, change is not a bad thing after all.

Jayashree. MA Student: It’s Advantage BJP according to me. They have the majority of MLAs with them, compared to other parties. They have become the victims of a conspiracy by the JD(S) who used them to come to power, and ditched them when the time came to hand over power. This will actually work heavily in favour of the BJP during campaigning. They should thank the JD(S) for gifting them a vote-winning issue!

Vinay Prashanth, Student: Though I have only read about the British rule in India, I am so disgusted by the behaviour of our politicians that sometimes I feel maybe that was better than self-rule!, All parties are more or less guilty of cheating the people of good governance. Maybe it would be a good idea to have President’s Rule for the maximum time so that people get to see a corruption-free and politics-free administration.

Akram, Automobile Dealer: It is good that the BJP’s attempts to head the government were foiled. A party like the BJP which is anti-minorities should never get a chance to head a government. Even when it is out of power, we have witnessed many communal clashes, imagine what would happen if it the entire State were to be ruled it. There may be some sympathy for the BJP for the way in which it lost power, but that will be a big waste. In the next elections, the Congress should come back to power, preferably on its own.