BJP's Karnataka crisis goes bad to worse

TALKING POINT: BJP leader Dhananjay Kumar in conversation with CNN-IBN on the Karnataka BJP crisis.

    

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The crisis in the Karnataka BJP has entered its twelfth day and the mining-rich Reddy brothers still don't want to relent. They have now shifted base to Hyderabad. The Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa says some of the Reddy demands have been met in an effort to end the national party drama. The central BJP high command plans to make a public announcement on Saturday in a bid to iron out the wrinkles of the Karnataka BJP crisis. CNN-IBN spoke to BJP leader Dhananjay Kumar to try and get some answers.

CNN-IBN:At the end of the day has the BJP been held ransom by the Reddy brothers?

Dhananjay Kumar: I don’t think anybody can hold BJP into ransom. Reddy brothers as on today are part of BJP. They are the legislators, they are the ministers in the government and they have made a big contribution for the spread of BJP influence in most of the northern districts of Karnataka.

CNN-IBN: How can you say that the BJP has not been held to ransom? The principal secretary of the state, Mr Baligar has been transferred because the Reddy brothers wanted.

Dhananjay Kumar: I think you will not feel offended if I say that this is the beauty of democracy. In a democratic party, there will always be some kind of differences of perception, view points and opinion. Whenever such differences come to the fore, naturally the leadership will sit together to discuss for a resolution.

CNN-IBN:Lot of people in Karnataka had even called BJP the ‘Bellary Janata Party’ when the Reddys’ were holding their sway. Do you believe that the party can survive without the Reddys in Karnataka. Is that an option that can be considered by the BJP high command?

Dhananjay Kumar: I can boldly say that the BJP can survive without any individual for that matter. BJP does not depend on any individuals. BJP is collectively working with the help of hundreds of thousands of workers.

CNN-IBN:Are you saying that if the Reddy brothers don’t relent, the BJP is even to face another election in Karnataka?

Dhananjay Kumar: The people of Karnataka have elected BJP to rule for five years. Unfortunately, midway, some problems have cropped up and I believe that our leadership has the responsibility of resolving this and they have been trying all these days. Today, we are very happy that your leadership has been able to resolve the issues and on Saturday a public announcement will be made by our high command in this regard.

CNN-IBN:What is the nature of BJP’s compromise formulae?

Dhananjay Kumar: Politics is a game of power sharing. After all, there must be some give and take – accommodation of views and aspirations. The chief minister is very well aware of all this and keeping the interest of the people of Karnataka and also of the party at most, he has considered certain demands and the Central leadership has been able to persuade both the groups to agree on certain issues and an amicable solution is arrived at.