Penchant for theatricals

Devegowda’s penchant for theatricals
HUBLI, Feb 01, 2006
Another facet of Devegowda’s persona now on display is his penchant for theatricals.
It is clear even to naiveté that Devegowda carefully scripted the plot to pave way for downfall of the Dharam Singh government and for setting the stage for his son Kumaraswamy wearing the mantle of the Chief Ministership.
But what went wrong in the whole drama was that it failed to disguise the real intentions. Nobody has taken Devegowda’s tantrums of his being shocked by the perfidy of the partymen joining hands with the BJP.
His oftrepeated protestations of standing in favour of the secular credentials might have mislead the Congress leaders and Mr. Dharam Singh, who were all along led on the garden path only to be ditched at a point of no return. But the careful watchers of the political drama have taken the bait and have not failed to discern the straws in the wind that pointed to the collusion of the indulgent father.
As a result while his son is getting ready to take over as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Devegowda’s national image and his secular credentials have taken a serious beating. And this is what is worrying Mr. Devegowda to the core now.
Even at this eleventh hour also, Mr. Devegowda is not sitting quiet and is burning the midnight oil to salvage his reputation. A planted story has been in circulation that he wants to take disciplinary action against those who are going with Mr. Kumaraswamy his son to form the ministry. Mr. Kumaraswamy like a true son of a crafty father, has also been mouthing similar sentiments, and giving expression of his dilemma of becoming the Chief Minister while his father continues to sulk. He also talks about the dent in the image of Mr. Devegowda at the national level.
Nobody is prepared to believe the story again. For, had Mr. Gouda been such a disciplinarian, he would have used the instrument at the first sign of rebellion. Kumaraswamy has conceded that he had always favored the alliance with the BJP since the 2004 elections. Devegowda had opportunities to discipline the his flock many times when they were having powwow with the BJP leaders; later when they crowd gave a letter to the Governor or when they assembled in the assembly to debate the confidence motion.
As a seasoned parliamentarian, Gouda ought to have written to the Speaker not to take Kumaraswamy’s version seriously. But he chose to write instead to the Governor, who has nothing to do with it. The crossing over of the president, Mr. Thippanna to the Kumaraswamy’s side is not a coincidence but a deliberate plan on the part of Mr. Devegowda to give legitimacy to whatever action taken by Mr. Kumaraswamy.
Holding out a threat of disciplinary action at this stage hardly cuts any ice. It is open for the members to join the JDU, if it comes to that to escape the legal consequences of their change of heart. Nothing is going to happen to Mr. Kumaraswamy. He is all set to begin his reign as the Chief Minister. On paper Mr. Gowda would like to go down as the one who tried till last to prevent the JDSBJP ministry being formed. It may satisfy his conscience. But cannot fool the people, who have now begun to see Mr. Gowda in his real political colours.
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