BackCongress in last ditch bid to rejuvenate fortunes ahead of 2018 Karnataka polls
The Karnataka government led by chief minister Siddaramaiah has been announcing a flurry of schemes to show on the ground
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Bengaluru: Heading into elections in 2018, the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka is seemingly in a hurry to approve long pending demands, including 30,000 acres of land for the landless and police reforms and increasing the existing cap on reservation to 70%, among other initiatives, which some analysts and politicians say is a last ditch effort for the incumbent government to salvage its declining fortunes in the state.
As the largest of the seven states ruled by the grand old party, Karnataka will remain the key in the 2019 general elections to help its parent in the national stage after being reduced to double digits in 2014 by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Having lost most of 2016 to constant unrest over Mahadayi and Cauvery river water disputes, quelling an internal rebellion from ministers and supporters dropped from the July cabinet reshuffle, the state government has been announcing a flurry of schemes to show on ground implementation before 2018.
“The government realizes that in the second half of its five year term, there is an urgent need to show proof of action. Though it is a little late in the day, they must assume that better late than never," Sandeep Shastri, a Bengaluru based political analyst and Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Jain University said.
Siddaramaiah has had to manage expectations both from the high command and the state leaders resulting in a status-quo situation, analysts say.
Karnataka has not had an incumbent retain power since 1985, a fact-among other factors- that may not help the Congress government in the state.
However, Congress spokesperson Brijesh Kalappa says that the government is only fulfilling its pre-poll promises that were already part of its manifesto.
Others in the party do not completely agree. “I don’t see any such design (of announcing schemes before the elections). Whatever issue gets pushed up is being addressed," a legislator from the party said, requesting not to be named.
Siddaramaiah also rolled out a proposal to increase the cap on reservation to 70%-which is likely to be discussed in the cabinet which will benefit the some of the most backward communities.
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