2019, the year of 17th Lok Sabha election, is turning out to be action-packed as every political party across the nation is preparing themselves or rather ready to be politically equipped. The incumbent central government that swept to power in 2014 forming the largest majority government since 1984 general polls seems to be muddled with the possibility of a Modi wave-less election this year. After suffering losses in three traditionally BJP stronghold states recently, the saffron party is leaving no stone unturned to launch Lotus in the southern states in the upcoming polls. As alleged by Karnataka Minister and senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar, horse-trading has started in Karnataka and BJP’s ‘Operation Lotus’ is trying to unsettle the ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition government in the state. He even avowed that three Congress MLAs were camping in a hotel in Mumbai in the “company of some BJP leaders”. Although Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy dismissed any threat to his government, political observers look at ‘Operation Lotus’ as BJP’s last desperate attempt to break the winner alliance in Karnataka and make a mark in south India in 2019!
Karnataka Congress MLA Dr. Anjali Nimbalkar spoke to AV and said, “Since the JD(S) and Congress coalition government has formed in Karnataka, BJP has tried its best to create a political crisis. However, this will not work in their favour; neither JD(S) nor Congress lawmakers will join them. Allegations of three Congress MLAs coming to Mumbai sounds insignificant, they might have their own personal reasons to visit the city.”
She further added, “There’s no misunderstanding in both the parties in the government; we will be contesting the Lok Sabha polls together. The alliance government is working really strong and BJP is only trying to mislead the voters to gain political mileage.”
The term ‘Operation Lotus’ refers to BJP allegedly luring several Opposition lawmakers to make a mess with the stability of its present coalition government. The term was first used in 2008 when BJP was likewise accused of enticing opposition legislators to ensure the stability of BS Yeddyurappa-led then government.
Regarded as the ‘trouble-shooter’ of Congress in Karnataka, Shivakumar also accused Chief Minister Kumaraswamy of being “lenient” towards the BJP. Explaining his point, he further said, “CM is not exposing the facts he knows. All the MLAs have conveyed to the Chief Minister about the ongoing conspiracies. They have also told Siddaramaiah about it.” Attacking the CM for adopting ‘wait and watch policy’, Shivakumar asserted confidence that BJP would not succeed in its attempt.
Downplaying BJP’s horse-trading attempts in the state, CM Kumaraswamy ruled out the reports of three Congress MLAs camping in a hotel in Mumbai and claimed that his coalition government is not under threat from the saffron party. Without revealing the names, the Janata Dal (Secular) leader said, “All three of them are continuously in contact with me. They went to Mumbai after informing me. My government isn’t under threat; there is no question of instability to this government.”
Former JD(S) MLA Sharada Pooryanaik asserted, “There’s always some news on the Karnataka coalition government but none of both the parties’ lawmakers will join hands with BJP. Our coalition government is very strong and will fight 2019 Lok Saha polls together. The entire country is going against BJP and the party is putting all its efforts to unsettle the government with false stories but they will not succeed in their motif.”
Interacting with the reporters in Mysuru, the CM also slammed a few media reports stating how they can cause loss to the people of the state. “I have noticed reports in sections of the media (about ‘Operation Lotus’). Today too I saw a media report stating that on January 17, President’s rule will be imposed in the state. I don’t know who is feeding such reports to the media…I was surprised to see the report,” Kumaraswamy said on Monday.
Restating the CM, Deputy CM G Parameshwara expressed that the Congress MLAs have no plans to join the saffron party. The BJP too has trashed the charges, saying that the coalition partners are making false accusations to hide their weaknesses and internal conflict.
BJP MLA Tamil Selvan told the newspaper, “BJP won the majority of the seats in Karnataka in the 2018 assembly election. BJP is still the No. 1 party in the state. A few MLAs from the government is in contact with the state BJP leaders though I am unaware of three Congress MLAs who are allegedly in Mumbai. In the upcoming election, we will bring the majority of the seats from the state and we are assured of Narendra Modi being the next PM of the country.”
The southern part of India has never been a BJP bastion. The party won just 21 of the 129 seats in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Of these 21, Karnataka alone accounted for 17. Apart from being disappointed in getting suitable regional party support in the five states, 2019 will be one such opportunity that can be a hope for the party’s rise in fortune and how will the party and its ‘Chanakya’ Shah will bring that to reality will be a good show to watch.
Political activist Milind Nikam said, “The sentiment of the voters in the southern states of India has always been different than the northern states. While all the political parties in Karnataka fought against each other in 2018 assembly polls, but to keep BJP out of power, they join hands. India has only two major national political parties and we are yet to find an alternative. Moreover, there’s no political party that is free of corruption charges be it national or regional parties. Political alliances in the country are not formed for the voters’ benefit; they are formed to benefit every party’s respective political motif.”
