Gowda skips function

When the first-ever BJP-led ministry was sworn in Karnataka, the patriarch of the coalition, however, was missing.

When the first-ever BJP-led ministry was sworn in Karnataka, the patriarch of the coalition, however, was missing. H D Deve Gowda, the JD(S) supremo, was in Uttar Pradesh to attend a function, according to a party official. Later Chief Minister Yeddyurappa said he would meet Deve Gowda in New Delhi on Monday evening. “I met Deve Gowda yesterday and will also meet him today. I will take all valuable suggestions offered by him,” Yeddyurappa said.

Kumble to Kumaraswamy

Though his father was not present, former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy attended the ceremony along with some party leaders. Kumaraswamy, in all likelihood, is tipped to be come the Deputy Chief Minister in the Yeddyurappa ministry, one reason why he cannot afford to miss the swearing-in ceremony. But many JD(S) MLAs were found missing at the function. And the presence of the small contingent of JDS leaders were humbled by a galaxy of BJP leaders. The entire top brass, K Advani, Rajnath Singh, Murli Manohar Joshi, Yashwant Sinha, M Venkaiah Naidu and Ananth Kumar were present. BJP chief ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Raman Singh and Narendra Modi were present. However, Vasundhara Raje, Chief Minister of Rajasthan, was conspicuous by her absence. Known Vasundhara detractor and senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh, in news after being booked in the opium-party case, also kept himself away from the ceremony. But one non-politician who stole the limelight was the country’s Test Cricket captain Anil Kumble, who came with his wife Chetana.

Modi creates a flutter

Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi created a stir by saying Karnataka would follow the Gujarat model. “Karnataka would follow the Gujarat model”, Modi said on the sidelines of ceremony, leading media to interpret that he was referring to the State Government following ‘Hindutva’ agenda as was the case in Gujarat. However, it was left to BJP President Rajnath Singh to quickly clarify that Modi was only referring to the Gujarat’s “model of development.” “He only meant that the Gujarat model of development would be followed. It is of no doubt that Gujarat today is an example for other states to follow”, Singh said. On his part, Yeddyurappa did not comment on the Modi’s statement.

Saffron, everywhere

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BJP supporters, numbering over 60,000, descended upon Bangalore to cheer their leader during the swearing-in ceremony. They came in around 400 buses from various parts of the state. The whole of Bangalore looked a sea of orange, thanks to the saffron coloured BJP flags which were all over the city. Yeddyurappa, who is seen as a farmer-friendly man as he hails from the same background, was cheered on by thousands of farmers who had gathered at the Vidhana Soudha in traditional attire. Traffic movement was stopped around the Vidhana Soudha area. The traffic cops numbering over just 200, had a tough time controlling the traffic. The police had even advised people to stay off the roads till 1 PM.

The new Chief Minister was all farmer-friendly, when he announced that while pro-farmer policies would continue, regular tours of districts and review of district administration would be undertaken. The focus would also be on regular interaction with the public and to accord priority to settle genuine grievances. New ration cards would be issued on a priority basis and distribution of foodgrains through fair price shops will be streamlined. “The government would aim at time-bound completion of irrigation projects,” the Chief Minister added.