karnataka has the distinction of hosting the first Bharatiya Janata Party governent in Karnataka in alliance with Janata Dal-S. Till a few weeks ago the BJP was in the second rung of the coalition while the Janata Dal-s was in the forefront.:The transfer was none too smooth but that it has taken place after the imposition of President’s role is proof positive of democracy alive and truly kicking in this part of the subcontinent.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is yet to get over its stigma of being a hindutva party. The leaders should be extra cautious about sending wrong signals. Sucha signal was aired the other day when BJP volunteers took out a protest procession to the supposed base of an astrologer who had ruled out the chance of Mr B.s.Yeddyurappa, the erstwhile deputy chief minister, getting the chief’s post. It was a silly issue and the volunteers had a lot more issues to contend with. We are living in a democracy and democracy encourages dissent. If the players are not ready for this, they do not deserve the democratic cake.

One of theearliest decisionstakenby the Chief Minister was the appointment of Shankar Bidri as the intelligence head.This must have sent the alarm bells ringing  Yet, for other reasons, this coalition will.be in saddle for some time. OPther developments may mar its chances.But not immediately.

In the intervening period the leaders are btteradvised to keep ttheir flock in check.Overzealousness will be like playing into the detractors’  hands.

Much is made of Narendra Modi’s intolerant approach to minorities. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who is considered the Iron man, hailed from this region.Around the time the country was gaining independence, there was a mutiny in Bombay docks. It was covered in depth by a newspaper whose credentials as patriot are beyond dispute.Patel did not take too kindly to this. The editor had his defence ready. We shall support you when you areright, that was the clarification. to this Patel responded: when we are in the right everyone will support us.

The paper went  to dogs and the editor is no longer with us. The viewers are welcome to draw their conclusions.

head

karnataka has the distinction of hosting the first Bharatiya Janata Party governent in Karnataka in alliance with Janata Dal-S. Till a few weeks ago the BJP was in the second rung of the coalition while the Janata Dal-s was in the forefront.:The transfer was none too smooth but that it has taken place after the imposition of President’s role is proof positive of democracy alive and truly kicking in this part of the subcontinent.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is yet to get over its stigma of being a hindutva party. The leaders should be extra cautious about sending wrong signals. Sucha signal was aired the other day when BJP volunteers took out a protest procession to the supposed base of an astrologer who had ruled out the chance of Mr B.s.Yeddyurappa, the erstwhile deputy chief minister, getting the chief’s post. It was a silly issue and the volunteers had a lot more issues to contend with. We are living in a democracy and democracy encourages dissent. If the players are not ready for this, they do not deserve the democratic cake.

One of theearliest decisionstakenby the Chief Minister was the appointment of Shankar Bidri as the intelligence head.This must have sent the alarm bells ringing  Yet, for other reasons, this coalition will.be in saddle for some time. OPther developments may mar its chances.But not immediately.

In the intervening period the leaders are btteradvised to keep ttheir flock in check.Overzealousness will be like playing into the detractors’  hands.

Much is made of Narendra Modi’s intolerant approach to minorities. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who is considered the Iron man, hailed from this region.Around the time the country was gaining independence, there was a mutiny in Bombay docks. It was covered in depth by a newspaper whose credentials as patriot are beyond dispute.Patel did not take too kindly to this. The editor had his defence ready. We shall support you when you areright, that was the clarification. to this Patel responded: when we are in the right everyone will support us.

The paper went  to dogs and the editor is no longer with us. The viewers are welcome to draw their conclusions.

head