Is the people's verdict in Karnataka an anti-BJP one? Or is it a product of a pro-Congress wave? How is it significant in light of the general elections which are not very far away? Senior journalist Imran Qureshi joined IBNLive readers for an interaction on the matter.
Q. Isn't it true that, in India voting happens mainly on Caste/religion basis. This would be the case, unless there is a very popular leader, like Modi or there is a wave like Akhilesh and SP rode in the last UP elections. Asked by: Narayan
A. It does happen on caste basis. But there are also other issues that also matter. Nothing to be surprised about in a caste ridden society.
Q. The fact remains the Indian television media are biased mostly to congress. Karnataka BJP lost squarely but congress lost as well in Gujarat in similar fashion. But media belittled the victory of Mr. Modi deliberately and now praising congress in Karnataka without any sense of shame and trying softly to portray Rahul is the winner? Why Indian never learn from their counterparts in UK and USA? Media deliberately lying low in taking on Sonia and Rahul? Asked by: mohan
A. Not true AT ALL. If not for the media, the people would not have got to know about all the scams and wrong doing of politicians whether they be from the Congress or the BJP or any other party. Modi's brilliance in getting re-elected for a third term was highlighted by the media like no other. There is no parallel for the coverage that Modi got in the media. Even regional language channels were totally focused on his victory as national channels. It is the media which said that Rahul didn't get Congress victory in Karnataka. Congress got its victory because of Yeddyurappa.
Q. From this election BSY went far beyond from BJP? and Biggest loser is BSY (lost CM post, party Post, Now reduced with 6 MLA), Next general election he can enjoy same support? Asked by: Hari
A. We will have to wait and see. It depends upon what his next moves will be. He is a fighter. Never to be underestimated.
Q. How does one make Congress leadership realize and accept that it was not vote FOR Congress but vote against BJP govt who gave its people a bad & corrupt govt? Asked by: Naren
A. Good question. They may not say it publicly but many of its leaders admit it privately.
Q. 40 seats is not bad - taking account that in southern states the BJP is not a very strong player. Will it get a better performance at LS election in 2014 or earlier? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. It had 110 members when it was elected as the single largest party. From that number to get reduced to 40 is bad. It depends upon how the new Congress government performs until the Lok Sabha elections and what the BJP does to get its house in order.
Q. Why does Congress refuse to Credit BSY for it's success? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. I have answered this earlier.
Q. The BJP committed a mistake of grabbing power a la BSY tactic.If they had remained as an effective opposition, this term would have been theirs just for the asking. Is this view a right one? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Absolutely.
Q. Dear Sir, After viewing Karnataka Election results do you think that every state in India will vote in 2014 according to the way they have been governed? Asked by: Raaj
A. Strictly speaking, Yes. Governance will become a major issue as more and more educated people go out to vote. The most remarkable thing about our country is that even the illiterate have expressed their opinion very strongly. Otherwise, in 1977 they would not have voted even Indira Gandhi out of power!
Q. The national leaders of BJP while conceding defeat have not accepted their role in the results procured.Was it not their Dilly-dalying which caused the rot at the state party. Asked by: sundar1950in
A. They all knew what the result would be. Their high command was being described by their party workers as low command because they could not deal with Yeddyurappa in an effective manner.
Q. The regional JD(S) could have done better? Where did it fail in mustering support to become a King maker? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. Yes. It could have. The problem of the JDS is its identity. It is perceived as a Vokkaliga party like the KJP is seen as a Lingayat party. The JDS needs to solve its identity crisis. But it should be said to the credit of Kumaraswamy that he did make efforts in this election to protect his base as well as grow.
Q. Amongst the congressmen from the state Siddharamaih seems to be a better leader. will he lose a chance for CM's position because of his lateral entry into the party leadership? Asked by: sundar1950in
A. The Congress high command will take that call as is the practice in the party.
Q. I think the worst nightmare is over for BJP in K'taka. I feel now they can build it without Yeddy in NK region without votes getting divided.Your thoughts on it. Asked by: Ganesh
A. Yes. It could grow if only it finds an effective leader. The party would have, perhaps, lost more if it had gone under Yeddyurappa's leadership.
Q. Can KJP will damage BJP same way in General Election? Rejoining in BJP will be a better choice for BSY and his future Asked by: Hari
A. There is already a demand for the return of Yeddyurappa to the BJP in some quarters. His political calculations have to match that of the BJP. Please do not be surprised if he does a Kalyan Singh or a Uma Bharathi. All options are open. Its still very early days after the BJP's debacle.
Q. After seeing the performance do you think it would be better for BJP to recall Yeddyurappa or continue without him? If they call him back he might again continue with dictatorship Asked by: Kashyap
A. Have already answered a part of your question. to the second part of your question, the answer is : he is an aggressive and a strong politician. if he was slightly accomodative, the BJP would not have indulged in giving the people a bad and corrupt government.
Q. BJP lost three states.Likely loose partly MP/Chhtisgarth.THey have winning capability in only 6-7 states. In such circumtancers, how they will come in power? Asked by: Deepak Desai
A. Let us wait for that moment. Nothing is permanent in politics...friends, enemies and situations. Everyone thought MGR would succeed Anna. Karunanidhi did it with just one action at the funeral of Anna and won the hearts of the cadre.
Q. Modi can convince BSY to come back to BJP ? Asked by: Hari
A. May be.
Q. Three states in which Modi had canvassed lost by BJP- Karnataka, HP & UK. Modi didn't canvass at UP, Bihar & Goa. BJP won or their vote share increased in UP? Modi is now looks like liability for 2014 election in eastern & Southern and Northan part of India? what is your opinion sir on that? Asked by: [email protected]
A. He did not lead the campaign in Karnataka. He knew that the situation for the BJP was so bad that even he could not do anything in Karnataka. Whether he is a liability or not for 2014 is too early to say. It all depends upon the BJP to, first of all, accept him. Then we will have to see what he does and how he campaigns. It is not easy to win the hearts of the people across the country like Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi did. India's diversity is the challenge to today's politician.
Q. Do you think Karnataka voters have given clear mandate with high expectations and would be a road map for 2014 election for Congress? Asked by: Nagarajan
A. The mandate in Karnataka is for change. There was no other alternative so the Congress got it. What the Congress does in the next one year will make people decide whether the people will vote overwhelmingly in the 28 LS constituencies.
Q. After the drubbing the BJP got, what is the future for Ananth Kumar? Asked by: Sai Kiran
A. His future is bright. He is a smart man.
Q. I'm glad that some party got a majority..Coalition politics was and is taking it's toll specially at the centre where all regional allies are extracting their pound of flesh in exchange of support...I sincerely hope that this voting trend should continue and there should be some clear winners in the 2014 elections rather than either BJP/Congress having to depend too much on allies to form a stable government. As voters are we getting too regional in our voting pattern hence this emergence of a lot of regional parties? Asked by: JK
A. Coalition politics is the bane of this country. It hurts development.Nothing wrong with regionalism as long as the country's progress is kept in mind.
Q. Don't you think if Siddaramaiah isn't made the CM, he will become rebel and consider quitting Congress too? Asked by: Dr Sathish Babu
A. He may not do so now.
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