Outbursts at hometown triggers speculation about his exit as CM
Haveri: In a highly emotional and choking voice, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai here on Sunday said, “nothing is eternal in this world, including posts and positions.”
These remarks come in the wake of some media reports questioning his leadership qualities. A section of BJP leaders believe that Bommai has failed to assert his leadership within the party, people and the Government.
Continuing his address, Bommai said, “Nothing is permanent in this world. This life is also not permanent. How long we will live, we don’t know. In this context, these posts and positions are not at all permanent. I am aware of this truth every moment.
The CM made these remarks while addressing the people of his Shiggaon constituency from where he has been elected. He had visited the constituency to inaugurate the statue of Kittur Rani Chennamma, the 19th Century queen of Kittur in Belagavi district, who fought against the British.
“I try my best not to speak emotionally, but when I see you all, the emotions overwhelm me. I am not able to visit you regularly. There is a very big responsibility on my shoulders to make all-round development in the State and respect the emotions of all communities. That is a very big responsibility,” Bommai said.
Expressing his gratitude to the people of his constituency, Bommai said that he is only Basavaraj Bommai for them, not the Chief Minister. He also said that he is indebted to the people of his constituency who have shown love and respect towards him.
“Because of your blessings, I am standing before you all as the Chief Minister. But, I like to mention here one thing, which I always tell to you all. And that is that when I move out of my constituency, I am the CM, a Home Minister or a Water Resources Minister but when I visit this constituency, I always remain Basavaraj Bommai to you. And, I have been saying this even after I became the CM,” he said.
“Why am I saying this is that, Basavaraj Bommai is an eternal name, but positions and posts attached to this name are not eternal. I am indebted to the people of this constituency. Whatever work I would try to do but that debt cannot be repaid. I don’t have any big aspirations. I just want to keep intact the love and affection you all have shown towards me. Whenever I came to your town, you fed me with Rotti (Jowar Roti) and Navanakki Anna (Foxtail Millet). I cannot forget it,” Bommai said with tears in his eyes. Bommai had assumed charge as Chief Minister on July 28 after B.S. Yediyurappa resigned after completion of two years in office.
Bommai was selected as the CM, not for his efficiency while a minister, but because he is a Lingayat and BJP vote bank is Lingayat community. The BJP leaders at the Centre were goaded by the Lingayat Seers to select a Lingayat CM to succeed a current Lingayat CM1 Caste-based nepotism going back to decades, when Nijalingappa selected B D Jatti, then SR Kanthi followed, and then Veerendra Patil. Thanks to Karnataka Ekikarana leading to the influx of Lingayat’s from former Maharashtra territories,, there was no dearth of a Lingayat politician for the position of the CM.
A better solution would be to rotate the CM position to all caste on a rotation basis – any takers?
@ Boregowda _the rotation never worked, remember when Hdk did nor want to leave his position and dissolved the government?
The rule of Lingayats follows from one Lingayat CM to his successor who is also a Lingayat, and similarly the rule of Gowdas-which these days is rare, as the BJP prefer Lingayats, because they vote for them. In fact the Lingayat Seers are the real power behind the government.
Do Karnataka need another CM? Remember NTR who became CM after opposing the installed CMs from Delhi. This is exactly happening in Karnataka. The state need a strong regional party, not JDS like, but similiar to erstwhile Janata Dal headed by R.K Hegde.(I know he was sent here by Delhi, but he focused on regional priorities). Anyway this drama will benefit congress in the coming election.
India is corrupt to the core, and no party , national or regional will be clean from casteism, corruption and nepotism.
If a thug like M K Stalin ( In the rest of the world, the name ‘Stalin ‘ is as abhorrent as the name ‘Hitler’, yet he was named ‘Stalin’!)the son of another thug m Karunanidhi, a bigamist and a corrupt lord, totally immune from law when as a CM for years, could become the CM, Even after death, this scoundrel was buried in the beach of Chennai , in a structure that glorifies the corrupt life he led.
it reflects the sorry state of this country, 7 decades after independence
The society, institutions and politics are all mired in corruption. Expecting a good regional party is like expecting a plant with sweet smelling flowers, emerging from a filthy pond.
R.K Hegde went to England to get medical treatment, as his illness was misdiagnosed and was wrongly treated. Unfortunately he died , as it was too late for him.
India like Brazil is a third world cesspit, and impossible for clean up.