MYSURU: The CBI court’s clean chit to former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa in a corruption case has come as a morale booster for the Lingayat strongman and BJP workers in the run-up to byelection to Nanjangud assembly constituency.
The bypoll is perceived as a major show of strength for Yeddyurappa after he took over the reins of the state BJP. Now Congress leaders will not have much steam left to attack Yeddyurappa with the court discharging him.
The bypoll will be a litmus test for both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Yeddyurappa ahead of the big battle in 2018, as it will help political parties gauge which way the wind is blowing.
For Siddaramaiah, a known face of AHINDA, this would be prestigious as the bypolls are to be held in his backyard.
As any debacle could send a strong message to the Congress high command that he is slowly losing control over the party in the state, the Chief Minister and his party are expected to pull out all stops to retain Nanjangud seat.
On the other hand, a BJP win will help Yeddyurappa consolidate his control over the state unit of the party which is divided among top leaders.
The court verdict has also brought relief to outgoing MLA V Srinivasa Prasad, who has been invited to join the BJP.
The celebrations by BJP workers and Veerashaiva community members will be a concern for the Congress in the constituency dominated by Veerashaivas, dalits and other backward communities.
Yeddyurappa, apart from consolidating Veerashaiva votes, will be keen to reach out to dalits and Nayaka community voters. The absence of a dominant Linagayat leader in the Congress in old Mysuru region is expected to help the BJP.
The focus of the state BJP and Yeddyurappa’s coterie has shifted to Nanjangud and political activities are likely to gain momentum soon after Srinivasa Prasad officially joins the BJP with his supporters.