The year 2016 was an action-packed one as far as the three major political parties are concerned. While the Congress saw dissension within its ranks over the continuance of Siddaramaiah as Chief Minister, the JD(S) witnessed rebellion leading to the suspension of eight of its MLAs. Meanwhile, the BJP, with Yeddyurappa back in the saddle, is trying to put up a united front even as another senior leader, K S Eshwarappa, seems to be challenging BSY’s authority by going ahead with plans of the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade.
Siddaramaiah, Down, but not out
The year has been quite eventful for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. While 2016 ended with H Y Meti’s resignation as Excise Minister over a sex scandal, which put him to severe embarrassment, he hurtled from one trouble to another. Having successfully quelled the demand for a dalit as CM, Siddaramaiah faced some personal embarassment over the Hublot watch controversy. He also had to deal with a personal loss in the death of his son Rakesh.
What’s in store
Signs of a bitter start to the new year are already showing with B S Yeddyurappa and H D Kumaraswamy apart from RTI activist Rajashekar threatening to expose at least two more ministers. A major surgery of his ministry to induce greater dynamism in administration doesn’t seem to have reduced his problems. A litmus test will be the Nanjangud bypoll.
G parameshwara, Lucky mascot?
In all the din for a dalit as CM, Parameshwara’s ambitions of taking a shot at the post suffered a setback in the year gone by. But he did manage to land himself the plum Home portfolio in the ministry while holding on the post of KPCC president. The highly educated, suave dalit leader is trying to consolidate his position as the most important leader after Siddaramaiah in Congress.
What’s in store
It won’t be a surprise if the Congress high command chooses to face the next assembly election too under his leadership as it did in 2013. But G Parameshwara should make sure he has the ‘Home’ in order.
R V Deshpande, Go-to man
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s decision to entrust the Industry and Commerce portfolio to R V Deshpande says a thing or two about Deshpande’s stature in Siddu’s team. He has already made a difference in the handling of the ministry if one goes by the feedback from the sector. After all, he’s an old hand at the job.
What’s in store
Deshpande has big plans to maintain Karnataka’s position as a leading destination for investments and innovation. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, to be held in Bengaluru from January 7, is just the beginning, says Deshpande. Hopefully, his plans will actually take shape.
H Y Meti, Naughty at 70!
H Y Meti’s alleged sex scandal proved to be the most embarrassing incident for the Siddaramaiah government as it left the Congress leadership with no room to question the moral ethics of opposition leaders. Though Meti was removed from the ministry, the incident had already dented the image of the Siddaramaiah government.
What’s in store
Meti will have a lot of time on hand to cool off after the alleged sexcapade!
Priyank Kharge, Well networked
A recent inductee in the ministry, Priyank Kharge is a man to watch among the newer crop of political leaders. The leader from Chitapur constituency is set to inherit the political legacy of his more illustrious father Mallikarjun Kharge. Priyank’s induction was seen as a quid pro quo for Mallikarjun not angling for the CM’s post.
What’s in store
The diploma holder in Computer Science was given the high-profile IT/BT ministry, which was held by veteran S R Patil. The young Kharge is keen to prove his mettle and emerge as a leader who can take on bigger roles in the years to come. He’s surely hitting the right keys.
M H ambareesh. Rebel without a pause
For actor-turned politician M H Ambareesh, it was a year that has almost brought the curtains down on his three-decade long political career. The Mandya strongman was unceremoniously dumped from the ministry during the cabinet reshuffle and he has since kept away from active politics.
What’s in store
The sulking Rebel Star seems to be in no mood to reinvent his public life though BJP and
JD(S) leaders are keen to draw him into their fold. Perhaps, he needs something more to lift
his ‘spirits’.
K S Eshwarappa, Bee in bsy’s bonnet
Despite losing the assembly election from Shivamogga, the former Deputy CM was made MLC and Leader of the Opposition in the Council. But Eshwarappa wasn’t content. He propped up the Sangolli Rayanna brigade ostensibly to woo voters of backward communities, but mainly to resurrect himself, much to bete noire Yeddyurappa’s discomfort.
What’s in store
Continue to make noises about the Rayanna Brigade, have a truce with BSY, or get a royal party snub. For now, an impression of dissent in BJP is the last thing the party wants.
B S Yeddyurappa, comeback man
It couldn’t have been a better year for the Lingayat strongman, politically and legally. Two years since his return as BJP’s bossman in Karnataka, BSY has managed to enthuse cadre, keep his reins firm on the party, even if other netas seem upset over his total dominance. One big relief was acquittal by the CBI court in the illegal mining case.
What’s in store
His eyes firm on the CM’s gaddi in 2018, 2017 will be the year to watch out for BSY. It would mean staving off wily opponents in rival parties and his own. It would mean burnishing his “tainted” image. It would mean no more photo-ops with the Ballari Reddys. Surely he wouldn’t want to step on another mine.
Srinivasa prasad, Sad sack
The veteran Dalit leader was left huffing and puffing after he was dropped from the Siddaramaiah cabinet in May. His stock went down for a while but impending elections were a blessing and he was furiously wooed by BJP and JD(S). Finally, in the BJP for a now, his single point agenda is to bring down friend-turned-foe Siddaramaiah.
What’s in store
First, win the high-stakes Nanjangud bypoll, right in the CM’s backyard. What happens after the bypoll will decide Prasad’s future role in BJP.
DH Shankaramurthy, Loyalty rewards
Veteran BJP leader Shankaramurthy, who is currently the Chairperson of the Karnataka State Legislative Council, has had a quiet innings so far. Non-controversial and the quintessential Sangh-BJP man, he has been with the party since its fledgling days.
What’s in store
Likely to be rewarded with a governor’s post. Has already made his preferences clear: governorship of a southern state. The 76-year-old and 5-time MLC has ruled out contesting elections.
D V Sadananda Gowda, Holding on
The ever-smiling former CM, who lived up to his name, had nothing much to smile about this year as well. It’s been a double demotion of sorts for the Railway minister-turned-law minister. This year, law portfolio was removed and he got the unheard-of Statistics and Programme Implementation ministry. A small relief? Quashing of the case against son Kartik.
What’s in store
Pray hard that he doesn’t lose this ministry as well. Dunno what statistics say though.
H N Ananth Kumar, Smooth operator
2016 has been a good year for the Bangalore South MP who quickly moved into PM Modi’s inner circles and bagged the prestigious Parliamentary Affairs portfolio. Initially, he was given the modest Chemical and Fertilizer portfolio, while former CM Sadananda Gowda bagged the plum one, Railways. Equations changed this year. Ananth Kumar got a promotion.
What’s in store
With the state in election mode, stakes are high for the Bangalore MP. But a paralysed Parliament session saw him get a public drubbing of sorts from erstwhile mentor, LK Advani.
H D Kumaraswamy, Dark horse
At a time when it seemed the party was over, JD(S) managed to stay afloat, thanks to some luck and muck. As state party chief, HDK ensured alliances in local body and civic polls extracted maximum advantage to the party. He put Siddaramaiah on the back foot with the Hublot controversy, set up base in Hubballi to rejuvenate party in north Karnataka, and even took much time off for the dream launch of his son’s movie, despite angry murmurs.
What’s in store
With 8 rebel MLAs set to leave, including moneybag Zameer Ahmed, 2017 will be the year of hard work for HDK. He must enthuse party workers, not lose base in old Mysore, keep the biggie rivals at bay and well, find more moneybags.
H D Deve gowda, The ‘cry’star
The Cauvery crisis came as lifeline for the JD(S) patriarch, who was struggling to keep his outfit and himself relevant. Unwittingly bete noire Siddaramaiah handed it on a platter to Gowda, after the former PM backed the CM on defying the Supreme Court directive. Soon, Siddaramaiah was daily consulting Gowda, who in turn projected himself as farmers’ saviour.
What’s in store
Has much to do to keep JD(S) alive as at least as spoiler or kingmaker, if not third alternative. This will mean regaining people’s trust and a foothold in many former bastions. For that, he has to do smart politicking, shed less tears in public and keep the ragi muddes handy.
Zameer ahmed, It’s the money, honey
Once a close friend of Kumaraswamy, the rebel JD(S) leader and seven others fell out and gave much headache to HDK and Co, from defying party directive to vote for JD (S) supported candidate in Rajya Sabha elections to hobnobbing with HDK’s bitter foe Siddaramaiah.
What’s in store
Has already announced intent to join NCP, another party that thrives on moneybags. But with NCP’s fortunes at its lowest, can’t expect much Pawar play in Karnataka