Bengaluru: With the looming specter of a possible reverse “Operation Lotus,” the BJP’s state unit in Karnataka finds itself in a state of uncertainty. Even three months after the election results were declared on May 10, the party is yet to appoint a Leader of the Opposition in the legislative assembly and council.
The Congress, still harboring resentment over the BJP’s prior “Operation Lotus,” which led to the defection of Congress leaders and the BJP’s ascension to power, is now poised for retaliation. The BJP leadership is striving to retain its members amidst these challenges. Deputy Chief Minister and Karnataka Congress President, D.K. Shivakumar, has asserted the transient nature of politics, emphasizing that change is constant.
Inside sources suggest that the Congress has set its sights on attracting prominent BJP leaders who possess the capacity to secure independent electoral victories. Should this materialize, the BJP could face significant setbacks.
The BJP’s internal sources reveal lingering displeasure from the high command due to the party’s humbling defeat in the assembly elections. Buoyed by its success in Karnataka, the Congress has launched the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), akin to a new version of the UPA, thereby challenging the BJP on the national stage.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and rebuked his comments on family politics during the Independence Day speech. Siddaramaiah has also expressed confidence in winning 20 seats in the state during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Facing a barrage of criticisms from Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar, the Karnataka BJP struggles to mount an effective counter. The party’s veteran figure who steered it to power, former CM B.S. Yediyurappa, occasionally steps in with statements, while former CM Basavaraj Bommai currently leads the party.
The Congress points out the anomaly of a budget session conducted without a Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka’s legislative history, attributing it to internal strife within the BJP.
Rumors of a “Reverse Operation Lotus” or “Operation Hast” are circulating within the political circles. According to sources, the Congress aims to strategically lure leaders to ensure the defeat of major BJP figures. The party reportedly approached senior BJP leader V. Somanna to contest against BJP Yuva Morcha national president Tejasvi Surya for the Bengaluru South seat. Additionally, the Congress contemplates fielding Sowmya Reddy, former MLA and Minister for Transport Ramalinga Reddy’s daughter, against Tejasvi Surya in the Lok Sabha polls.
The BJP sources indicate that former CM Jagadish Shettar may challenge Union Minister for Mines, Coal, and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi for the Hubballi seat. Meanwhile, the Congress strives to topple Union Minister for State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shobha Karandlaje from the Udupi Chikkamagaluru MP seat.
Amidst the BJP’s search for direction from the high command, the Congress is progressively implementing guarantee schemes in the state and taking measures to secure minority and Dalit vote banks, while maintaining Vokkaliga support.
In response to potential political challenges, CM Siddaramaiah and Dy CM Shivakumar have been vocal against cow vigilantism and moral policing. Despite the BJP’s efforts to revive itself, as seen in the Udupi college restroom video case, the response has been lackluster across the state.