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The BJP’s southern debut

With the swearing in of the government headed by B.S. Yeddyurappa in Bangalore, the Bharatiya Janata Party has got a foothold in the south. The government formation comes after a great deal of uncertainty, with Karnataka almost slipping out of the party’s grasp and going through a spell of President’s rule. That uncertainty has not yet been cleared fully, with the Janata Dal (Secular) that was initially reluctant still seeming to be a sulking partner. Only four other legislators, all from the BJP were sworn in Ministers along with Mr. Yeddyurappa. While earlier indications were that it wanted the vote of confidence to be out of the way before it decided on its nominees, it now seems to be considering the option of supporting the BJP government from outside rather than joining the ministry. The vote on the floor of the Assembly fixed for November 19 should clear the air. The JD(S)’s less than wholehearted participation has not, however, dampened the BJP’s celebratory mood on having made a southern foray as was apparent from the presence of the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, L.K. Advani, and a host of chief ministers and senior leaders of the party at the swearing-in ceremony. Among the southern States, Karnataka was obviously the BJP’s best bet and it did emerge as the single largest party in the 2004 Assembly elections. The BJP will still have to reckon with several imponderables, among them the reaction to its penchant for pushing the Hindutva agenda. The JD(S)’s support cannot also be taken for granted, given especially its reluctance to hand the BJP the chief ministership in the first place.

For the JD(S) that has been offered 18 cabinet berths, the first major decision to be taken — if it decides to join the ministry — relates to the choice of the Deputy Chief Minister, the key contenders for the position being former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, and his brother, H.D. Revanna. The first test for the BJP will come up as early as in December during the annual festival at Bababudangiri, where a Sufi shrine has become a bone of contention. Sangh parivar forces have claimed a right to worship and perform rituals in that shrine in Chikmagalur, and the dispute is now before the court. In the port town of Mangalore too, there has been a fragile peace after communal strife last year. How the BJP and Mr. Yeddyurappa handle these issues may decide the durability of the government. The Chief Minister can draw a few lessons from the way A.B. Vajpayee, as Prime Minister, managed the coalition of the National Democratic Alliance. It is in Mr. Yeddyruappa’s and his party’s interest to resolve the pending issues with Mr. Deve Gowda and his JD(S) and place the government on a secure footing.

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