From the beginning of February till the mid of May, Karnataka has been no less than a high-season destination. The constant influx of the current biggest names in Indian politics, their roadshows and public-meetings, and all things that are part and parcel of the Indian election experience was on full display.
The incumbent popular CM, Mr. Siddaramaiah had completed his term and implemented many schemes for Kannadigas successfully. He was given complete charge of the state election by the Congress President Shri. Rahul Gandhi.
Mr. Yeddyurupa the challenger, still infamous for his jail stint and incomplete terms was backed heavily by his party, the BJP. As a candidate, he had nothing to show for as achievements in the state. As a party, they had nothing to offer but a hot-air balloon of dramatic promises which remain unfulfilled for over 4 years and counting.
The JD(S), seeking a rebirth of sorts, was the third contender. According to most political pundits, it would play kingmaker.
And into this mix came the BSP, AAP, and MEP along with a whole cartload of parties and the Independents. Suspicions about the funding of these parties and back-channel links were rife in social media, with many speculating whether they were propped up to cut into the secular vote.
The political speeches, gaffes, messages lost in translation and so much more marked the entire election festival. Voting day was quite memorable with the usual malfunctioning EVMs, rain on the horizon and ending with the most questionable practice of post-poll surveys.
And suddenly, it was D-Day. The trends were disappointing for the Congress, just short of exhilaration for the BJP and just right for the JDS. Every other party was voted into oblivion. Out of 224 seats, 78 were for a government that worked for the people. 37 for the king-makers. 104 for drama. Mr. Omar Abdullah’s tweet summed up everything about result day. “Et Tu, Karnataka?” he wrote.
The Congress-JD(s) came together with more than the required numbers hoping to form government, which the BJP checkmated using the Governor to hurriedly swear in a minority CM and providing him an excessive 15 days to prove his majority on the floor of the Vidan Soudha, whilst there was a majority coalition already on hand.
An array of lawyers across political affiliations, led by the Congress approached the Supreme Court questioning the number of days and the BJP move to swear in the CM, following which the floor test was advanced to the following day.
In an effort to counter poaching of elected legislators, Congress and JD(S) MLAs were kept in safe locations and then moved out-of-state for their protection. A petition to the CJI and an advancement of the floor test were what we could see on news reports. However, behind the scenes was a flurry of activity. Phones calls with offers that would put any scam to shame. Sting operations that came out in the media blew the covers off the BJP’s attempt to present itself as a clean party. Horses were forcibly pulled up for trading. Without the numbers to show ‘streanh’, Yeddyurupa resigned breaking his own record for shortest CM stint third time around. A floor test scheduled for 23rd May 2018 would be more telling of the final outcome.
Amid the chaos, what has come shining through is the Congress party’s dedication to its core ideology.
The tallest Congress leader of the day walked, talked and dined with the Kannadigas in his most charming manner. The Congress Manifesto for Karnataka was a complete representation of the will of the people. A successful, non-corrupt and high-performing Chief Minister led the election charge.
Despite being personally taunted often by it, the Congress chief defended BJP and RSS’s right to exist. A warm welcome was extended to political rival PM Mr. Narendra Modi as he was hustled into the state for the last leg of the election.
The Congress gave a measured, civil and unified response to each and every election point raised by the Opposition. A truly unscripted press meet was held by the Congress President and every question was addressed. A continuing fight to the finish within the framework of the Constitution was launched against the corridors of power and money. And Congress worked with every political and legal ally who was willing to support the will of the Kannadigas within the ambit of the Constitution, immaterial of any political differences. All in all, Congress ran a positive and clean campaign.
If this isn’t the Idea of Congress, nothing else is!
It is an ideology that transcends politics and finds common ground with humanism. It is this ideology that will carry the party and the people of India through the tough fight ahead in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.