Karnataka - Shimoga   

Is Bangarappa's honeymoon with BJP over?

By Our Special Correspondent

SHIMOGA, DEC. 28. The Shimoga MP and former Chief Minister, S. Bangarappa's stint with the Bharatiya Janata Party appears to be coming to an end if his no-holds-barred criticism of the party's policies and his plans as spelt out by him at a public meeting at his native taluk Sorab on Monday is any indication.

Speaking at a function organised by the local people to express their "gratitude" to him and his second son, Madhu Bangarappa, for arranging "Aaraike," a 10-day free medical check up and treatment in the first of week of December, he said that he would announce his plans soon.

After his recent outbursts against the BJP leadership sent shock waves in the party hierarchy, his criticism against the functioning of the party on Monday indicates that his "honeymoon" with the party is almost over and that he is seriously thinking in terms of floating a new political outfit.

Hails Mulayam

The manner in which he showered praises repeatedly on the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav, gave a broad hint that he was thinking of floating a new party seeking an alliance the socialist party.

In a lighter vein, he said that Mr. Yadav came to power in Uttar Pradesh after fighting the elections on the symbol of "bicycle" which was once the symbol of his (Bangarappa's) Karnataka Congress Party. "I would not have come to this pass if I had continued with the same symbol," he said.

He said: "What else is there in that party (BJP)? I joined the BJP just to see what is its true nature was after listening to the speeches of its leaders. I am very much disappointed that they have nothing except boasting about the demolition of the Babri Masjid. There is neither satisfaction nor specific goals in that party."

Political changes

Predicting that there will be major political changes after the Assembly elections in Bihar and other States, Mr. Bangarappa said that the UPA government at the Centre may collapse after the elections in the West Bengal as the Left parties would no longer extend their support.

He said that the National Democratic Alliance has no future if the Janata Dal (United) withdraws from it and added that there had been a tremendous pressure on its president, George Fernandes, not to have any truck with the BJP.

Third front

Mr. Bangarappa said that the possibility of the emergence of the third front appeared bright. He predicted that major changes are likely to take place in Karnataka. He described the Karnataka Government to Kumbhakarna's slumber stating that it took six months to complete the formation of Cabinet.

Coming down heavily on his elder son, Kumar Bangarappa, who represents the Sorab Assembly constituency and his other detractors, he said: "People in the constituency will realise their mistake for having supported Kumar Bangarappa."

He asked people to be ready to face another round of elections very soon. "I seek your support. But right now I am not in a position to tell which party I will represent in the next elections," he added

The BJP MLAs G. Basavannappa, Hartalu Halappa and Gopalakrishna Beluru were present.

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Is Bangarappa's honeymoon with BJP over?

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