Yediyurappa 'admits' to Operation Kamala; names Amit Shah in leaked video

The ruling BJP in Karnataka has yet again found itself in a tight spot after chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa allegedly admitted to Operation Kamala in a recent video that surfaced online. In the leaked video of a party meeting, the chief minister allegedly reminded his partymen of the "sacrifices" made by the disqualified MLAs from the Congress and the JDS. The video is proof that there is a growing resistance to inducting the rebel MLAs into the party or giving them BJP tickets to contest the upcoming bypolls.

During BJP's poll preparation meeting held in Hubballi on Friday, Yediyurappa could be heard expressing his disappointment over his own partymen failing to acknowledge the sacrifices made by the Congress and JDS rebels. Interestingly, for the first time, Yediyurappa can be heard saying that the "Operation Kamala" was spearheaded by national president Amit Shah. "Today, the tone of all your speeches does not exude confidence that you all are keen to save this government. Hope you all know that the 17 rebels took a decision to quit not because of Yediyurappa or any other state leader. It was the national president who took the call, arranged for the rebels to be put up at Mumbai for two to three months," said Yediyurappa.

Making a case for the rebels, the CM further added, "For months, these rebels neither visited their families or constituencies and stayed in Mumbai. It is a different matter what the outcome of the bypolls would be. These MLAs are the reason our party, which otherwise would have had to sit in the opposition for another three-and-a-half years, has come to power in the state. But at a time when these MLAs who firmly resigned are appealing before the Supreme Court to accept their resignations, I don't hear any of you say that you will stand with them, come what may, as leaders who have made big speeches and given your advice. But for a moment, you should put yourself in their place."

Yeddiyurappa also sounded confidant that the rebel MLAs would get a favourable verdict from the Supreme Court. "Did they not become fools now by trusting us? Where was the need for them to resign and bring us to power? I did not discuss all these till now as the SC verdict is pending. I am 99 per cent hopeful that the SC verdict will be a favourable one and the rebels will be allowed to contest the bypolls," Yediyurappa said, adding that he would convey the opinions of the local leaders to the central leadership as he was in no position to take a call after all the hostility expressed towards the rebels. "Victory or defeat is a different issue. But none of you said the BJP came to power because of the sacrifices of the rebels," Yeddiyurappa can be heard lamenting.

Hitting back at the leaders who batted for party loyalists in candidate selection for Athani and Kagwada, Yediyurappa said, "You all mentioned (deputy CM) Laxman Savadi. The central leaders will take a call on giving him a ticket. It is a special case. But you extend support to our defeated candidate Raju Kage from Kagwada who lost by 33,000 votes. Do you think the rebel MLA who resigned is a fool? I expected you (local leaders) to say you will convince Kage."

Yediyurappa, who completes 100 days in office on Saturday, said he did not want to be the CM. "I did not want the CM's post. I have been the CM three to four times. I only wanted to install a BJP government in the state and do good work. I beg of you with folded hands. Perhaps, I have committed a crime by giving the rebels assurances and by sitting on the CM's chair. I never expected you all would have a one-sided opinion about these constituencies. I should have never attended this meeting," said a distraught CM.

"Today, I am deeply pained. I have never spoken such harsh words even when I was the party president. I hoped you would aprise me of the ground situation after considering all factors," said the Lingayat strongman.

On Saturday, a day after the video went viral, the chief minister claimed that the rebels had quit as they were unhappy with the coalition and not necessarily to bring BJP to power. Speaking to a private television channel, Yediyurappa said he was also confident that his party would win 12-13 seats in the bypolls and retain power in the state.

As evident, Karnataka BJP is a divided house over welcoming the disqualified MLAs, who have challenged their disqualification in the Supreme Court and are awaiting favourable verdict that can enable them to contest the assembly bypolls on December 5.

While it is a well known fact that the mass rebellion led to the collapse of the coalition government and paved the way for the BJP government, none of the rebels have formally joined the BJP. Many leaders within the BJP feel that the party hoppers should not be entertained at the cost of losing party loyalists.