A wish for Karnataka

Silly season is finally over in Karnataka and come May 16 you will be bombarded with analyses about why a particular candidate won or lost. Back-of-the-envelope calculations show that the BJP is still on a strong wicket – and just might be able to retain its earlier Lok Sabha tally of 18. If that happens, expect the opposition in Karnataka to raise a hue and cry over missing names from the voters’ list. There will also be the expected breast-beating over how the ruling party managed to pump in huge amounts of money to engineer a thumping win. By its own admission, the Congress said during the campaigning phase that it wouldn’t be able to match the deep pockets of the BJP. That probably means that the Congress has admitted that it won’t be able to do much in Karnataka. That also means that the JD(S) will finish as an also-ran. That also means that Karnataka is indeed getting a step-motherly treatment from the Centre – considering that the Congress doesn’t have enough money for its state unit even though it rules at the Centre.
Whatever be the result, bigger problems are staring Karnataka in the face. The spectre of communal violence looms large. While some say that emboldened by its win the BJP will try to make a statement, others are of the opinion that mischief-makers will try to bring a bad name to the first BJP government south of the Vindhyas.
That the stand-off between the communities will only intensify was evident from the way Dakshina Kannada voted. Here’s a recap for those who came in late: Attacks on churches, a pub and incidents of moral policing had set the agenda for the elections in this coastal constituency.
In its reportage from Mangalore, The New Indian Express said, “For the first time, the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) used e-mails to send the Ten Commandments to all Bishops in India. These commandments, scripted by Bishop Ivon Ambroise, defined the role of a Christian during polls.” So on V-Day, Christians, who are generally cool to elections in Mangalore, voted in large numbers, as did other minorities. When news spread of the large turnout among Christians and minorities, Hindu leaders went around the constituency ensuring that all votes were cast in order to counter the “threat”. The result: 75 per cent voting in the constituency.
Karnataka is known for its accommodating nature and mild-mannered people. The phrase that an outsider first picks up in Karnataka – swalpa adjust maadi – bears testimony to the large-heartedness of the people here. Hope when governance kicks in after May 16, Mr Y and his Cabinet colleagues will ensure that nobody takes advantage of the situation and steers them away from the path of progress.