POLITICS
THE much-touted Karnataka
modelof coalition politics,which
supposedlyheraldedan alternative
to therisingtideof Hindutvapolit-
ics, appearsto be on its lastlegs.The
desertionof 16 legislatorsfromthe
rulingCongress-JanataDal(Secu-
lar)combine,whichcameto power
aftera fracturedmandatelastyear,
has broughtthe H.D.Kumaraswamy
government to the brinkof collapse.
Thenakeddisplayof thelustfor
powerby legislatorsacrossthe polit-
icalspectrum, whose onlyaspira
tionalinterestin politicsappearsto
be a ministerialberth,hasbroughtthe State administration to a
standstill.
However, Chief Minister Ku-
maraswamyspranga surpriseon the
Bharatiya JanataParty(BJP)on July
12 by announcing that he would seek
a voteof confidence, possiblywithin
twoweeks.TheBJP,whichmadeaK.MURALI.KUMARCONGRESSandJD(S) MLAswhosubmittedtheirresignationstotheKarnatakaSpeakerleave the Raj Bhavanafter
meetingtheGovernoronJuly 6.
Triumph of
chicanery
TheKarnatakamodelofcoalitionpolitics asanantidote to Hindutva
politicsappearshopelessly compromisedasthegovernment totterson
thebrinkofcollapse,whiletheBJPwaitsinthewingstostrikeatthe
opportunemomenttogainpowerintheState byhookorbycrook.
BYRAVISHARMAANDRISHIKESHBAHADUR DESAI