Will Kanna in Andhra Be Yeddy in K’taka?
There is a reason for every surprise. Karnataka Assembly polls have sprung a big surprise making BJP the Single Largest Party and keeping it 8 seats behind the magical figure. The much predicted ‘Hung’ Assembly, in Exit polls, still hangs on, despite BJPs meteoric rise. . The voters have kept Congress at distant second with78 seats. Interestingly, Exit polls were proved to be right in case of JD(S). It’s maintaining its leads in 37 seats. Had the gap between BJP and Congress been narrow, it would have played the role of King Maker. Now new scenario has come up: JD(S) will cease to be a King Maker and become King instead, if the unconditional support of Congress works. Or it may sit in the opposition beside Congress.
Seeing the mood, the rise of BJP can straight way be attributed to Modi’s Magic. But the truth is something more than that. BJP has more skilfully used ‘Caste Card’, than the other two parties in fray. The Party was quick to announce Chief Ministerial Candidate, Yedyurappa immediately after the release of election schedule. While doing so, it clearly indicated he had been the champion of Lingayats, (As per the leaked out socio-economic census, Dalits and Lingayats constitute 19.5% and 14% respectively). BJP later projected B.Sriramulu, a prominent Dalit leader and close aide of Gali brothers, as the leader of SCs, /STs. (STs alone form 5% population). He took on Siddaramaiah in Badami and cut his majority too. Siddharamaiah of Congress belongs to Kurubas and has firm grip over his caste group. Deve Gowda of JD(S) has remained unchallenged leader for Vokalingas. No popular leader has emerged from Muslims though they make the second largest group (15%) in the state.
“The party has been trying to come closer to Kapus, a dominant and populous caste group, ever since, it severed its ties with TDP. It short listed two Kapu leaders, Kanna Lakshminarayana and Somu Veerraju for the President and finally chose Kanna.”
Though Sidharamaiah has tried his best to cause division in Lingyats, by recognising them as a minority religious, they haven’t shifted loyalties from Yedyurappa.
It’s no wonder, if BJP replays same trick in Andhra Pradesh too. The party has been trying to come closer to Kapus, a dominant and populous caste group, ever since, it severed its ties with TDP. It short listed two Kapu leaders, Kanna Lakshminarayana and Somu Veerraju for the President and finally chose Kanna. The two are prominent figures from Kapu community. But Kanna had served long in Congress party, where as Somu had been brought up in Sangh Parivar. But the leadership’s priority is clear; it wants a Kapu Community’s popular face. Will Kanna in Andhra Pradesh emerge as Yedyurappa in Karnataka?
