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On, May 30 2009, BJP completed one year in office by its own right. No strings attached and no puppeteers pulling the strings to make it dance and difficult to function as a government. Does it call for a celebration or introspection? BJP thinks celebration. So it is, this morning at 11 the big celebration was held at the National College Grounds, Bangalore, where nearly 50,000 people arrived or were brought in!

When the results came in 2008, the BJP was short of three seats to gain absolute majority though it emerged as the single largest party entitled to form the government. The victory was a sweet revenge of Yeddyurappa against H. D. Kumaraswamy. A punishment to JD (S) for betraying the trust; for not handing over the Chief Ministership to B. S. Yeddyurappa by H. D. Kumaraswamy, after himself being in office as CM, as per agreement.

Hence this electoral success of BJP was indeed an act of providence. It is because of such happenings in life we tend to believe in divine justice and God. The way B. S. Yeddyurappa was humbled and humiliated by JD (S) was more than made up when JD (S) was trounced in the election. In an age where we find honour even among thieves, in 2008 we could not find it in a section of our JD (S) politicians.

I am sure, if H. D. Kumaraswamy had handed over power to Yeddyurappa as CM, the JD (S) would have got more seats and BJP, who knows, would not have come to power. Now, let bygone be bygone and let the BJP government come down to brass - tacks.

The early days of Yeddyurappa's new beginning were not days of smooth sailing. The short-fall of MLAs to have the absolute majority had to be made up either by horse - trading or by methods that should ensure stability. So was launched “Operation Kamala” - A novel and bold experiment, and indeed a great success.

The greater success came in the BJP's way when in the by - election it got 6 out of 8 seats. By this way Yeddyurappa was able to ward - off blackmailing by the 5 independents who had agreed to support BJP. With these political manoeuvres, Yeddyurappa was able to establish a stable government. This I consider as his second achievement in his one - year rule. The first achievement was defeating Congress and JD (S).

Opposition, as is its business, is right in criticising the BJP government of being slack in executing the developmental works and implementing its proclaimed welfare schemes for farmers, women and Aam Admi. However, to be fair, the code of conduct during the by poll in Dec. 2008 and later during the just - concluded general election in April to May 2009 respectively, really hampered these developmental works. You can't blame BJP for it. Take for example the JNNURM works in our own city, Mysore. All the schemes and programmes are again on track now and gaining momentum as we could see.

Anyway, some positive initiatives may be mentioned here as well - meaning developmental initiative during this first year in office.
1) Creation of “Special Economic Zone” under industrial polices.
2) Holding “Janaspandana”: Meeting people like in “Jamabandi” of the Raj days.
3) Job Mela, which is a great success.
4) Creating a new District out of Gulbarga for efficient administration.
5) Establishing Internal Security Wing to tackle terrorism and appointing the Super-Cop Kempaiah as its Chief after promoting him as the ADGP. Indeed a right choice. A right man is put in a right place, for a change. It was unfortunate for the State that such a competent and committed officer was branded as a 'follower' of a particular politician and shown a place incompatible with his ability and usefulness by the earlier government.
6) Setting up of Karnataka Agri Mission.
7) Creation of Lake Development Authority to revive 100 lakes in the State, etc. etc.

Go on BJP and move over Congress and JD (S) for now. And finally, one issue that is bugging the BJP government is the lackadaisical manner in which it is seen to handle the Sri Ram Sena issue and other controversial issues including those related to religious conversion. Yes, comparisons are odious, but inevitable.

Compared to the handling of similar issues in Orissa and Bihar, Karnataka's BJP is far, far better both in checking the repetition of such incidents and in taking legal action against the culprits. It is to be remembered that during the 6 years of NDA government at the Center led by BJP, the communal riots and clashes were minimal and were curbed whenever it raised its ugly head, without favour or fear. Could be, being already branded as a “Communal” party, BJP (NDA) did not want the Secularists to get a chance to criticise it.

However, there could always be exception under any government, due to individual officer's or politician's failure or bias. Therefore, we the people of Karnataka may hope for the next four years of peace, prosperity and all round development, paving way for a Ram Rajya under the leadership of B. S. Yeddyurappa.