The stalemate in the State BJP as to who should be the successor for B. S. Yeddyurappa as the Chief Minister has finally ended with a secret ballot.

Instead of critically analysing as to who scored an upper hand over whom in the tussle within the party, let us compliment D. V. Sadananda Gowda (DVS), our newly elected Chief Minister, who despite having suffered many losses and going through testing times in his personal life, is ever - smiling; keeping his grief and problems to himself. May he keep smiling for the rest of his tenure and utilize this opportunity to serve the people by initiating development works. May he bring smiles on the faces of the people of Karnataka.

As suspected earlier, the week - long vacation to Mauritius that Yeddyurappa took proved to be too costly for him. Even before he set foot on his homeland, several events occurred in a rapid sequence — like the scenes in a movie running in fast mode — sealing his destiny. The events not only led to the dethroning of a Chief Minister, but also created a political history in the State.

An interview with Congress leader B. K. Hariprasad published in newspapers claims that the Lokayukta report indicting Yeddyurappa was prepared as per national BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani's instance. He has also said that the report was used by Advani to remove Yeddyurappa and some others in the Cabinet whom he disliked. Hariprasad further says that Justice Santosh Hegde is a publicity - monger and is politically motivated.

Hariprasad has been actively involved in politics since the past three decades and has maintained a clean image, both personally and politically. As such, his comments cannot be brushed aside lightly.

Let us just glance through the events that took place recently.

Yeddyurappa and his family members go on vacation. The very next day, major portions of the Lokayukta report is "leaked." Justice Hegde alleges before the media that his telephone is being tapped. As usual, the Congress party raises a hue and cry over the telephone tapping issue and demands for a CBI probe; then gloats with pride as if they have done their duty.

The newspaper reports about telephone tapping candidly points to two places where tapping might have occurred — at houses in Chamarajpet and RMV Extension in Bangalore. To the readers, it implies that the tapping might have occurred from the RSS State headquarters in Chamarajpet and the other being Yeddyurappa's private residence at RMV extension. Such is the tactfulness of our reports that "conceal" vital information!

Meanwhile, Justice Hegde himself takes the blame for the report getting leaked. He also sheds tears in public. He then goes on to claim that his staff members are getting threatening calls and demands security for them.

Finally, the Report on illegal mining is officially submitted by the Lokayukta. The report comprising 25,822 pages, compiled under 93 chapters, laden in a steel trunk, is presented to the Chief Secretary. In a press conference addressed by Justice Hegde later, he criticizes Yeddyurappa and some of his Cabinet colleagues. The media persons, who sought more details on the report, were told by a smiling Justice Hegde to obtain the same under the Right To Information Act, by paying the stipulated money.

It is ensured that out of the 25,822 pages, only the portions in which allegations against Yeddyurappa are made; reach all the newspaper offices in advance. What's more, even before Yeddyurappa reaches New Delhi with the official copy of the Lokayukta Report, the Delhi leaders already have in their hands, copies of the report downloaded from the internet.

All of you might be knowing the story about the four blind men who feel the body of an elephant and give their own description of the animal. It may not be a surprise if one is reminded of this story again and again with regard to the Lokayukta Report. Because, even after a week of the Report's official submission, no newspaper could get a copy of the entire report. Whatever reports on the Lokayukta Report were published in the newspapers were on the basis of the incomplete information that they obtained from their own sources. None of the journalists that I discussed the issue with, could bravely say with conviction that he has seen or read the entire Report. Let alone the journalists, I have my own doubts whether Justice Hegde has himself read the entire report.

I, on my part, enquired at the Lokayukta office. I was told that I will have to pay Rs. 2 per page of the Report (amounting to Rs. 51,644) and will be given a DVD copy of it after it was ready. They also told me that at any cost, a hard (printed) copy of the Report will not be available immediately. After the Report is submitted, how many people have paid money to have a copy of it? How many have applied for the same? We have also been assured that we will be given all the information about the money collected by the Lokayukta office in return for issuing copies of the Report, in 15 days' time.

Now let us take a look at the developments in New Delhi. Based on newspaper reports, one can easily infer that the BJP High Command (read Advani) was adamant on dethroning Yeddyurappa this time. He is also said to have threatened to take up political Sanyas if other leaders came in the way to protect Yeddyurappa.

When Yeddyurappa refused to bow to the pressure from even the High Command, Advani is believed to have told the leaders that Yeddyurappa must go this time, even if it amounts to sacrificing the government. He also reportedly said that he would not step into the Lok Sabha unless Yeddyurappa was sent home.

Anyhow, the final Report has been submitted and Yeddyurappa has been sent home. At this juncture, what is the need for publicizing the rest of the Report, feel the journalists and the newspapers who have now returned to a neutral stand.

Even Justice Hegde has demitted his office. He is replaced by Justice Shivaraj V. Patil. One has to wait and see as to what stand the new Lokayukta will take on the illegal mining report prepared and submitted by his predecessor.

Considering all this, how can we merely ignore the allegations made by the Congress leader Hariprasad?

Siddhartha
Courtesy: Star of Mysore

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