JOIN USThe pressure is on him to become more approachable and humane when it comes to dealing with his party legislators. At the same time, he will have to be more ‘accommodative’ when it comes to granting the wishes of his senior colleagues.
One of the major complaints against the CM is that he hardly spares time to talk to his MLAs, including the ministers. There is communication gap between him and his colleagues. As a team leader, he should be a good listener and do some pep talking. He should ensure that he does not entertain only a section of his ministerial colleagues, as is made out to be.
It was the CM’s show all the way in the Vikasa Sankalpa Utsav in Bangalore, which marked the first anniversary of the BJP rule in the State. He tried to take all the credit for running the show for one year but eventually the event left him embarrassed because seven of his ministerial colleagues kept off.
After the Utsav, the party seniors, including party’s State President Sadananda Gowda, has done some plain talking to Yeddyurappa regarding his one-upmanship in the Party. He has been told to be the captain of the team rather than being the chieftain. He has also been asked to keep off his family members from interfering in administration, according to sources in the party.
When it comes to Eshwarappa's episode, it looks the CM has had the last laugh for now. Eshwarappa said that his comments on irregularities in the Shimoga LS polls have been misconstrued by the Opposition parties. He openly announced that Yeddyurappa is still his leader. But it was Party State President Sadananda Gowda who had to face embarrassment as the party high command directed him to reverse his decision to slap a show cause notice on Eshwarappa. No doubt, the high command has succeeded in bringing a truce between Yeddyurappa and Eshwarappa.
Freedom movement
But all is still not well between the two. If Eshwarappa's grouse was only restricted to the selection of candidate for Shimoga LS polls or alleged irregularities, it would have been a different story. But Eshwarappa, party sources said, wants more ‘freedom’ to run the department. The CM reportedly had kept on hold certain decisions taken by Eshwarappa which had major financial implications. Even the Reddys are upset that the CM is not allowing them to have officials of their choice in different departments.
Taming Shobha
When Arun Jaitley visits Bangalore to take stock of the situation, one of the demands expected by a section of the party leaders is to ‘tame’ Minister Shobha Karandlaje by ‘showing’ her the place in the party. The rank and file of the party are upset that she is calling the shots on behalf of the CM. But the party cadre also know that their demand may not be met because of her proximity to the CM.
Following the swift developments in the last couple of days, the CM’s hands are tied on the Cabinet reshuffle. When he gave some signs of reshuffle, many leaders, including Revenue Minister Karunakara Reddy, began indirectly questioning his style of functioning. Even Eshwarappa was apprehensive of losing the portfolio. The CM has been candid enough to say that V Somanna has to be properly rewarded for working for the Party’s victory in the LS polls in Bangalore. But there are at least half-a-dozen BJP leaders including Jagadeesh Shettar, A Ramdas and C T Ravi in the queue to get ministerial berths.