Why Kannadigas should thank Yeddy and buddies

Bangalore based journalist and an aspiring political analyst Sharan Poovanna writes why we should all thank B S Yeddyurappa and friends for bestowing the state with all the pub(l)icity it can(t) handle..

(Cartoon by Alok Nirantar. Write to him at breathing.cartoons@gmail.com)

Earlier considered one of the ‘sleepier’ states, Karanataka could have actually given ‘Australia’ a run for its money for being politically insignificant to the relevant environment. No one cared about the politics of the state, as the Congress ruled and JD(S) supervised most of the occurring in the state for several years.

With no real opposition in sight, Karantaka first became a national topic with its IT endeavors. Then Chief Minister, SM Krishna (now external affairs minister) patented all rights to fame involved in this, irrespective of how much an ordinary ‘Bangalorean’ cribs about the influx of this industry which has effectively eroded the ‘serenity’ of the city. The place was always of strategic importance due to the presence of defence industries -- ISRO, DRDO, HAL and the likes.

But why does the national media give so much importance to Karantaka now? With all due credits to any great events that have taken place in the state, most of the publicity (negative) came, thanks to the political slug-fest since the BJP has claimed power here. Yeddyurappa, who has also ‘moved his birthday’ to ensure that the high command can heed to his threat of reinstating him. Undeterred, he surges ahead to claim the ‘displaced’  throne.

But his tittle of being ‘Karnataka’s publicist’ cannot be stripped off of him. His scams (though are a fraction of what the other parties were involved in) has helped the state increase its ‘footprint’ in India’s political landscape. The country takes cognizance of the events and developments here. The city also has senior full time news reporters from national media and not just stringers, adding to the further crowding of space for ‘bytes’.

The spate of incidents force national leaders of all parties to mention Karnataka in any possible manner (mostly taking political potshots at the BJP). As a Kannadiga, the negative references are regretted.  Nevertheless, on the whole, the development is positive. Earlier any wrong doing by the government was barely even cared for. Now at least it has become a tea time ‘conversation’, and in many cases cocktail ‘arguments’. The populace, otherwise known not to be very active, now have an opinion about the incidents of corruption.

All actions of the government now is closely being watched by a more informed public. Media has been on their toes and time and again catered to ‘breaking news’. From the 50/80 site to the KIADB land scam to the Porngate; the public know why Yeddyurappa is no more in power. The earlier mentioned ‘slug-fest’ has increased curiosity to know what his (BSY) predecessors did and how it would play out now. Most of the incidents are reminiscent of the movie Memento (which is sadly more popular in India for its Bollywood adaptation Ghajini) as it is played in reverse. Yeddyurappa alleges earlier wrong doings, on their party and they (opposition parties) have thrown much at any allegations on them. The state has at many times turned into a ‘food fight’, where it is legal to throw pie on anyone by anyone. 

Its regrettable that we have been termed one of the most corrupt states in the country, after all the great souls who gave us an identity of being one of the more refined states. But in all this chaos, we have first admitted that the problem exists. We have also gone ahead and identified what these problems are. But only time will tell if we can change all of this for the better. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you Yeddyurappa!

Read Sharan's take on Super Star Rajini's Endhiran here.