BANGALORE: Former CM B S Yeddyurappa-ledKJP has spoilt the prospects of BJP in at least 29 assembly constituencies.
After the not-so-impressive performance, the only solace for the KJP has been its destructive prowess. In these 29 constituencies, the vote share of BJP and KJP together is more than the votes secured by the winning candidates. Most of these constituencies are in the north Karnataka region, where Lingayats are dominant.
Though his party fared poorly, Yeddyurappa is finding solace in the decimation of BJP, which has won in just 40 seats. In 2008, the Saffron party had secured 110 seats and it had increased the tally later through ‘Operation Lotus.’
I have shown my strength. I have made BJP realize what it is without me,” he said. Though the KJP secured just six seats, it has finished second in 36 constituencies and secured 30.68 lakh votes (9.83%). One of the main reasons for the party’s poor show is the defeat of all 15 former MLAs, who had quit BJP and joined the KJP.
Yeddyurappa is flaunting the statistics to prove the KJP effect on BJP. For instance, in Shimoga, the Congress candidate, who emerged victorious, secured 39,355, while KJP stood second with 39,077 and BJP candidate K S Eshwarappa, deputy chief minister, stood third with 33,462 votes. The votes of BJP and KJP put together will be 72,539, which is 33,184 more than the votes polled by the winner. The former CM had vowed to defeat his bete-noire, Eshwarappa.
Another solace for the KJP strongman is the defeat of his one-time trusted lieutenants – Murugesh R Nirani, V Somanna and CC Patil, who refused to quit the Saffron party and join KJP. The KJP has stood third in around 35 constituencies. We have achieved our objective of decimating the BJP,” said Shobha Karandlaje.
Ours is a new party. I will tour the state and organize the party,” said Yeddyurappa. When asked if he would merge his party with the BJP, he said: It will never happen.”
