BSY’s Exit “Responsible” for BJP’s Rout in Karnataka

Narendra Modi factor failed to work for BJP and the party was decimated in the Karnataka assembly polls. The “shocked, upset and unhappy” BJP admitted that BS Yeddyurappa’s exit was responsible for the party’s rout.

Apart from BSY, the serious issue of corruption and Lokayukta reports were also factors for which the party faced a huge loss in the state. BJP men tried their best to accommodate Yeddyurappa but did not succeed.

As the votes were counted on May 8, the BJP appeared set for humiliating defeat in the state where they were in power five years ago. In contrast, the Congress headed for triumph. The celebration started wildly by Congress workers in Bangalore and Delhi when the party crossed the magic number. The party, which sat in opposition, took power with an absolute majority. BSY’s Karnataka Janata Paksha could not make a mark and managed to win just a handful of seats. He won from Shikaripura by over 15,000 votes.

Lingayats, the largest caste in the state, played a key role in bringing Congress to power, as their 40% votes went to the party.

Five years ago, BJP had stormed to power for the first time in a southern state on its own. The party had won 110 seats against Congress’s 80 and JD(S) 28. However, the destiny could not favour on the party for a long time. Union Minister Kapil Sibal thinks that condition of BJP in Karnataka will repeat at the Centre as well. He predicted that the main opposition will remain on the third position in Lok Sabha polls as well.