Quietly bracing for the change?

As BJP-JD(S) temple face-off stokes fire of discontent in state politics, Krishna is rumoured to be in line for job of Cong poll shepherd, if and when elections are called

Quietly bracing for the change?

As BJP-JD(S) temple face-off stokes fire of discontent in state politics, Krishna is rumoured to be in line for job of Cong poll shepherd, if and when elections are called

Delicacies on my plate? On Sunday, Foreign Minister SM Krishna took
time off from his busy schedule while on a visit to the city, to indulge
a bit at the MTR. Pic/Sanjay M D

After leaders like Mallikarjuna Kharge and Siddaramiah failed to give things a facelift, the expectation now appears to have shifted towards the former chief minister. His supports are toiling hard to realize it, but nonetheless, the idea within the party is facing resistance.

In better times: The swearing drama between B S Yeddyurappa and
Kumaraswamy was put on the backburner with both paying obeisance
to the presiding deity separately. File Pic

New face?
"After trying several approaches, we realised that we need a face for the state Congress and Krishna is that face. He is the one who gave the state brand value in the global arena. He is welcome, provided he is for the idea," said B K Chandrashekar, a Congress leader, who was education minister in Krishna's cabinet. While there are many lobbying for leadership, the party high command apparently has given much thought. Krishna is likely to emerge as the clear frontrunner to steer the party towards victory in the next assembly polls expected in 2013, in case Yeddyurappa completes his term, or even before.

National President Sonia Gandhi summoned Dr G Parameswar, president of the state Congress (KPCC) to Delhi, and the meeting is understood to have centered on the issue. Sonia is said to have instructed Parameswar to prepare the party to face the elections, while asking him to start identifying candidates.

Preparing ground
While Parameswar is identified as a staunch loyalist to Krishna, his very appointment as KPCC president was viewed as a prelude for the comeback of the stylist politician. "Madam took stock of the situation in state politics and asked us to be prepared for the assembly polls. Updating her about our people oriented progammes and the bad performance of the ruling party, I have assured her of victory for the Congress," Parameswar said.
Although he declined to comment on Krishna's re-entry into state politics, he dropped enough hints about it, while saying, "We definitely need such quality leadership." One fact that was conspicuous is that Siddaramiah, leader of the opposition in the assembly, was not called for the meting. This could be an indicator that no one but the Krishna camp would be given importance in the future.

Food for thought
While the reshuffling of the central cabinet is in the offing, speculation is that Krishna would be shifted to a milder portfolio, such as health, to help him to switch over to state politics. The cabinet positions of Krishna and Gulam Nabi Azad, currently health minister, are expected to be swapped. As if endorsing these views, Krishna is seen in the state more often these days. On Sunday, while he inaugurated a marriage hall in the city, Krishna was seen in the Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR) savouring idly and dosa.

The former CM could not conceal his obsession with state politics when he commented on the bad shape of the city's infrastructure during his visit. "When I was CM, the state made it big in the international scene. There should be increased political will to undertake developmental works, without which we cannot achieve anything. It is sad that Bangalore is loosing its brand image due to bad politics," he said.

Between heaven and earth
The much awaited swearing at the Dharmasthala temple ended with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and former CM H D Kumaraswamy paying obeisance to the presiding deity separately. While Yeddyurappa dropped the idea of taking oath before the deity to refute charges made by Kumaraswamy that he tried to buy his silence on the scams owing to the party high command's advice, the latter claimed to have sworn what he had stated earlier.
Kumaraswamy was projected as the 'vachana brashta' (the man who went back on his words, in 2007, when he failed to handover power to Yeddyurappa after his turn as the CM as per the agreed settlement. Now, he appears to have hit back with the same coin. "Now let the people decide who vachana brashta is. I took oath on truth before the gods accepting Yeddyurappa's challenge. He went back on his words," he said.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and Kumaraswamy's father H D Deve Gowda staged a sit-in in front of Yeddyurappa's official residence on Racecourse Road protesting step motherly treatment for his home district Hasan in terms of development, not before the police stopped him for clamping prohibitory orders. After a short drama, the patriarch withdrew his protest issuing an ultimatum to the government of July 6 to take measures.

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