FORMER Prime Minister Haradanahalli Doddegowda Deve Gowda is a unique phenomenon in Indian politics. For this 74-year-old ‘humble farmer’, occupying the highest political post for 10 months was the highwater mark of his career. But his obsession with Karnataka politics has never waned. That he should behave as a leader befitting his status is yet to dawn on him. He has proved time and again that he will do anything for the sake of power. True, politicians groom their children for high offices. But he seems to have surpassed everyone else. If Karnataka has been passing through political instability ever since the last elections threw up a hung House, it is only because of his insatiable greed for power and his overweening desire to put his two sons, Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy and Mr H.D. Revanna, at the helm.
Clearly, in Mr Deve Gowda’s style of political chicanery, wheeling-dealing and one-upmanship, rules, norms and principles do not matter. Who cares for political ideology, ethical standards or value-based politics? Consider how he ditched the Dharam Singh-led Congress government 21 months ago. He used to spew venom at the BJP for being “communal”. But he forgot about the “communal” character of the party the moment his ambition to see Mr Kumaraswamy as the chief minister was fulfilled.
The present stalemate in Karnataka could have been avoided had Mr Kumaraswamy honoured his promise to transfer power to the BJP after heading the government for 20 months. But this did not materialise because of his father’s insistence that Mr Kumaraswamy should continue to lead the coalition government. Shrewd and wily, he deputed senior leader M.P. Prakash to Delhi to mediate with the Congress on government formation, even as he started hobnobbing with the BJP for a patch-up. His letters to President Pratibha Patil and Governor Rameshwar Thakur, pleading for the dissolution of the Assembly and early elections, are now passe. Surprisingly, even before a decision on the demand for installation of a BJP-led government is awaited, Mr Deve Gowda has set 12 conditions to the BJP so that Mr Kumaraswamy can have a major say in decision-making and administration. Call him whatever, he is not “humble” for sure.
Clearly, in Mr Deve Gowda’s style of political chicanery, wheeling-dealing and one-upmanship, rules, norms and principles do not matter. Who cares for political ideology, ethical standards or value-based politics? Consider how he ditched the Dharam Singh-led Congress government 21 months ago. He used to spew venom at the BJP for being “communal”. But he forgot about the “communal” character of the party the moment his ambition to see Mr Kumaraswamy as the chief minister was fulfilled.
The present stalemate in Karnataka could have been avoided had Mr Kumaraswamy honoured his promise to transfer power to the BJP after heading the government for 20 months. But this did not materialise because of his father’s insistence that Mr Kumaraswamy should continue to lead the coalition government. Shrewd and wily, he deputed senior leader M.P. Prakash to Delhi to mediate with the Congress on government formation, even as he started hobnobbing with the BJP for a patch-up. His letters to President Pratibha Patil and Governor Rameshwar Thakur, pleading for the dissolution of the Assembly and early elections, are now passe. Surprisingly, even before a decision on the demand for installation of a BJP-led government is awaited, Mr Deve Gowda has set 12 conditions to the BJP so that Mr Kumaraswamy can have a major say in decision-making and administration. Call him whatever, he is not “humble” for sure.
Source: The Tribune, Chandigarh, India
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