Yediyurappa is the biggest asset and also the biggest liability in Karnataka election: Dr Chandra

Will the BJP follow the Gujarat pattern of ticket distribution in Karnataka also and cut tickets of most of its current legislators?
Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: That is the requirement. From what I have read and understood about Karnataka, leadership in both parties are in a perpetual struggle amongst themselves and there is a need for new leadership, new honesty, new credibility etc. That is the need of the hour. Take for example, had I been in BJP, I would have struck down everything in one swift movement, just like how Narendra Modi and Amit Shah do. How much do these leaders are actually able to use that ‘sword’, remains to be seen. Once the candidates are declared will it be known to what extent the Gujarat formula has been put into use in Karnataka? Only time will tell but yes, there is a requirement.

One development that we have seen is the sudden rush of BJP leaders and workers that are heading to Congress and JDS. What is the reason for this and do you think it is a ray of hope for Congress?
See, during elections, it so happens that those who know that the party will not give them a ticket, or that they may lose the election under the current situation and another party may prove beneficial to them, or that there are internal differences between leaders within the party, this movement is also part of the same issues, nothing new. Normally people leave other parties and join BJP, but the exact opposite has happened in Karnataka. People have jumped parties because they might be hoping of securing their victory in other party. What is interesting is that one individual who joined Congress from BJP played a significant role in making Mallikarjun Kharge lose the election in 2019. But this movement of leaders is a normal practice at time of elections.

How do you see or evaluate the performance of BJP’s Karnataka in-charge Arun Singh?
His performance or role is important. He is a silent performer. In fact, he was present when JDS leaders joined BJP. He makes all the strategies and is trusted by Amit Shah. He is working in the organisation for the past 6-7 years. He is in-charge of Karnataka and Rajasthan. In totality, he is a silent worker, and silent performer and has his own important role in Karnataka.

Do you think there are more squabbles in BJP over ticket distribution than in Congress?
Yes, it could be. And there are reasons for it too. As of now, more groups or camps are working within the BJP at the moment. There is immense tension among few leaders regarding Yediyurappa and at times he is pitched against Bommai also. So yes comparatively there are more feuds in BJP. Moreover, some people also feel that it is a party that will win; by and large even people know that BJP will form a government, so the major fight is for the ticket. In fact, Yediyurappa slapped a person who went to his home and engaged in a verbal fight. So yes, fights are there, which happen in every party and here too.

Are the local satraps in other States keeping an eye on the result of the Karnataka elections?
Yes that is there. See the psychological impact of individuals is there. Some people wait for their time in political life and wait to come in Modi-Shah’s notice. These leaders think that since these two leaders are extremely strong, so there is a perception that if the BJP loses Karnataka election, then they will become weak. But that is not going to happen. Narendra Modi will remain the way he is, even if he gets two seats or two hundred. But that is what people think of and it is their state of mind that if the BJP leadership becomes weak, they will become important for the party. But I really don’t think that with winning or losing Karnataka, the importance of local satraps will increase. Modi and Shah work in their own way and do not get pressurised by anyone. So it is nothing but a state of mind of these satraps, let it continue.

Has the ‘Plan 156’ of Modi-Shah led to 80-year-old Yediyurappa becoming a necessity for BJP?
See, there are both issues. Plan 156 is at its own place and hope is what keeps the world working. For the past twenty or 25 years, Karnataka has had hung assemblies, generally, and it does not happen that a complete majority government is formed, but party does attempt to get a complete majority. Moreover, Modi-Shah are charismatic individuals and create miracles too. Moreover, JP Nadda has also joined them and this team is miraculous. This team feels that it can bring 150-156 seats and it has done miracle in Gujarat also. So it is nothing new for them and they can do anything. Meanwhile, it is their dream, it is their imagination and have a conviction to this concept. As far as Yediyurappa is concerned, he is the biggest asset for BJP and he is also the biggest liability for the party. In other words, Yediyurappa is a bone in BJP’s throat and the party does not know how to handle him. He is removed in the name of corruption and is brought back and then removed yet again and no knows what will happen in future. It is to get away from this issue that Amit Shah has been asking to cut tickets, so that next time no one else becomes a Yediyurappa. So if they cut 75% tickets, there wont be any Yediyurappa, no Kumaraswamy and it would just be the central leadership. So as of now it is their compulsion and in a way it is part of life too. Just to cite their compulsion, recently an airport inauguration happened at Shivamogga for which PM Modi had come and it is Yediyurappa’s constituency. During the program, PM acknowledged him twice, in an affectionate manner and gave him the honour too. That was a rare moment because it is seldom seen that Narendra Modi would greet someone in that simple or humbling manner. This moment in itself shows the compulsion too. Then after the program, Modi held Yediyurappa’s hand and walked with him for quite a distance. Such scenes are scant in Modi’s life and this could be his love and honour towards Yediyurappa and it also shows a glimpse of BJP’s compulsion also. Similarly, when Amit Shah came here, he went to Yediyurappa’s home, perhaps it was his birthday. When Shah reached, Yediyurappa and his son reached the gate of their home to welcome Shah and offered to garland Shah. However, Shah stopped Yediyurappa before he could garland him and obviously, the Karnataka leader was taken aback. Shah then signaled him to hand over the garland to his son and then he accepted the garland and even kept his hand on Yediyurappa’s son and a message was thus sent by mere actions of Amit Shah. So yes, there is a compulsion, but how long it will stay like this, only the almighty knows.

Yediyurappa is being balanced in Karnataka. So will Vasundhara Raje also be balanced in a similar manner in Rajasthan?
It might just be so. After all she is in BJP and not in Congress. See, there is no negative thought regarding Raje in the BJP high command’s mind. The point is just this that the party has to bring forth a second generation young leadership. Hence at times they bring forth Gajendra Singh and at times CP Joshi is put at helm and Om Birla is made the Lok Sabha speaker. I don’t think there is any negative feeling for Vasundhara Raje in the high command’s mind. She is a senior party leader and she has been given due regard and honour. Last time, in a public function, PM Modi had asked her to walk in front. But now, time, age and other factors are also there that need to be considered and at times one needs to reach an accord or settlement in politics. So there is nothing negative regarding Vasundhara in BJP leadership’s mind, it is just that she is not fitting properly in the policy made by the high command for the post of CM, otherwise her regard in the party and her honour is definitely there as she can be included in union cabinet or become Governor or take a position in the party, those doors are open. The manner in which an accord, of sorts, has been reached in Yediyurappa’s case, a new hope has arisen in Raje supporters as madam’s image and political stature is much better than Yediyurappa in many aspects, like she is not old like Yediyurappa and is not infamous like him either, she is not controversial either. Apart from this madam believes in horoscope and if her stars are favourable, then she will get the call. So if an absolute majority government is formed in Karnataka, then the leadership will be motivated since it will prove that their policy is correct and if it is not so and they feel that there could be a risk to the possibilities of 2024 polls, then they want to kill all chances of losing the election. if they feel if without Raje, the next general elections would be difficult in Rajasthan, then they would ask her to come at helm. Decisions are taken in larger perspective. In Karnataka’s context and background, Raje supporters in Rajasthan may get excited, but they should wait till May 13.

Often it has been seen that when PM goes to non-BJP ruled States, the CMs of these states do not receive him.
What is the reason behind that? That is unfortunate and is a violation of protocol. It is violation of the federal system of democracy too. You could be against the party or the person and could be miffed with them, but you can not keep the Constitution aside. Look at KCR. PM Modi has been to Hyderabad 5 or 6 times, KCR has never received the Prime Minister. Similarly, Mamata Banerjee also is moody and at times she would receive the PM and at times she won’t. Ashok Gehlot definitely goes to receive PM and different CMs have different approach to the subject, but overall it is unfortunate. There should be some amendment in the Constitution and it should be made mandatory.

Has the BJP high command controlled the Yediyurappa factor by making him the Chairman of the ticket distribution committee and giving ticket to his son?
The high command hopes so. He has been made chairman and a message has been given that the election will be fought in his leadership and guidance. The high command has made CM and Yediyurappa stand together to give a message in the masses. In turn Yediyurappa too seems to have had a change of heart and he has said that he will not rest till BJP gets absolute majority in Karnataka. Then he repented leaving BJP and forming his own new party and termed it an unpardonable mistake. Thirdly he has said that his son will replace him. On the other hand, when Siddaramaiah and Bommai were asked of any internal squabble, they said that all the leaders are one and termed themselves to be part of the same coin.

During the show #JConKarnatakaElection trended top All-India on Twitter