None other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have gone all out to save BJP government in Karnataka. But nothing has worked in party’s favour. Despite Governor Vajubhai Vala’s “complete cooperation” to Yeddyurappa and BJP, the Saffron party has failed to use to its advantage. Below are the five reasons that played spoilsport in ending BJP’s southern drought.

Proactive Measures of Congress

For the first time ever, Congress has acted in time. Even before the complete results are out, it started negotiations with JD(S). In order to stop Modi juggernaut in South, Congress decided to offer unconditional support to Kumaraswamy and offered him the CM post. This has worked brilliantly. The proactive measures of Congress has played vital role in this entire episode of Kar’Nataka’.

After tasting bad experience in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya, the timely action by Congress in dealing with JD(S) is a significant step. Priyanka Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi conceived the plan well, their team members Abhishek Singhvi, Kapil Sibal, Azad all executed the plan perfectly giving no scope for the BJP.

Supreme Court’s Verdict on Floor Test

The twist in the entire tale is Congress knocking the doors of the Supreme Court at midnight. The SC bench convened in the wee hours and heard the petition filed by the Congress and JD(S) combine. Though the SC didn’t stop the swearing-in ceremony of Yeddyurappa, it has given a major blow to him by ordering to go for the Floor Test in 24 hours. This is indeed a landmark verdict and a major twist that changed the entire course of ‘Game of Thrones’ in Karnataka.

Lack of Trust on Gali’s Words

Initially, a few MLAs of Congress and JD(S) were reportedly inclined towards Yeddyurappa-led BJP. In fact, after Yeddyurappa’s swearing-in and 15 days of time to prove majority, a few MLAs in Congress and JD(S) had lost hope and thought that Yeddyurappa would prove his numbers and even thought of switching to his side. But lack of trust on Gali’s words and tightening of Congress and JD(S) leadership on its MLAs, in addition to SC’s landmark verdict together hindered all the efforts by Gali brothers and his close aides such as Sreeramulu.

Leaks of Audio Tapes Offering Bribe to Congress and JD(S) MLAs

The leak of audio tapes of BJP leaders trying to lure the MLAs of Congress and JD(S) which came out in the open and wide in the media has feared the national leaders of BJP that it would damage the party’s image. Fearing further damage if they go ahead for the Trust Vote and is defeated in the hands of Congress and JD(U), national BJP leaders advised Yeddyurappa to resign before the Floor Test as a last effort to save the party’s declining image.

Deve Gowda’s Emotional Appeal To Party Leaders

JD(S) Patriarch Deve Gowda said to have made an emotional appeal to all his party MLAs requesting that this would be his last election and would like to see his son Kumaraswamy as the Chief Minister. Deve Gowda’s emotional request said to have moved JD(S) MLAs who decided not to switch over to BJP even when huge offers came in from the Saffron leaders.

In a welcome change, the Supreme Court has ordered for the live telecast of the entire proceedings of the Trust Vote of BS Yeddyurappa which will be held today at 4 PM in Vidhan Sabha, Karnataka Assembly. The SC ordered to give the live telecast to all the local, regional and national channels simultaneously. It said the move is to ensure transparency in the proceedings.

Welcoming the decision, Congress leader and lawyer Abhishek Singhvi said the whole intention of Congress to file the petition is to ensure transparency in the Trust Vote and he said once it is taken care of, the Congress has no more objections.

Supreme Court Dismisses Congress-JD(S) Plea against Pro Tem Speaker

Meanwhile, in a minor set back, the Supreme Court has dismissed the plea filed by the Congress and JD(S) combine challenging Karnataka Governor’s decision to appoint BJP MLA KG Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker. Congress and JD(S) alleged that Bopaiah had once saved BS Yeddyurappa.

The SC’s hearing began at 10:30 am today before a bench comprising justices A K Sikri, S A Bobde and Ashok Bhushan which was hearing the crisis in Karnataka after the elections which delivered a fractured verdict.

Opening the arguments, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Congress-JD(S) combine, said as per convention the senior-most MLA should be appointed pro tem speaker. He said the governor has very limited discretionary power in appointing pro tem speaker and “we would have no objection if pro tem speaker only had to administer oath to the MLAs, the problem is here he is also holding the floor test”.

The senior lawyer said appointing senior-most lawmaker as pro tem speaker has been a practice in place in commonwealth countries. However, the bench shot back “there have been earlier instances where senior-most MLA has not been appointed as pro tem speaker”.

“If you (Sibal) are casting aspersions on the pro tem speaker then we will have to issue notice to him and postpone the floor test,” the bench said.

After hearing from both the sides, the Supreme Court today quashed the plea filed by Congress and JD(S) against the appointment of KG Bopaiah as the pro-tem Speaker. With this Bopaiah to conduct the today’s floor test in Vidhan Sabha, Karnataka Assembly.

This seems to be the time for political films as the election season is taking off. While the Telugu audience has already experienced Nene Raju Nene Mantri and Bharat Ane Nenu, there are also films like “Yatra” coming down the line showcasing the life story of YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

Now another film titled “Nene Mukhyamantri” is getting ready. Inside sources say that director turned actor Devi Prasad who turned popular with “Needi Nadi Oke Katha” acted in the role similar to that of Chandrababu Naidu in the film. The film is said to be an out and out satire on political phenomenon of Andhra Pradesh.

While a few inside sources are saying that it is a sarcasm on YS Jagan, others say that it a satire not targeting on any particular party or person but something in general. Whatever be the subject, there are also some leaks that there are some characters resembling the contemporary politicians in this film.

To know more, we have to wait till the first teaser or the trailer comes out. Mohan Ravipati, a political commentator popular on social media is directing the film.

Power star and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan is likely to make a big dent in the prospects of the ruling Telugu Desam Party in north-coastal Andhra Pradesh in 2019 elections, if the response he has got from the people is any indication.

Pawan has strategically decided to start his bus yatra from Srikakulam, which has been a bastion on the TDP right from the beginning.In fact, he systematically gained an entry into the region by taking up people’s issues like Uddanam kidney patients’ issue and Vamsadhara project evacuees’ problems in the last two years.On Friday, when Pawan visited Srikakulam district, he received tremendous response from the people, who raised “CM,” “CM” slogans.

At one stage, it had become difficult for the police to control the crowds and they had to take help of his bouncers to provide security to him.Obviously, the Jana Sena Party appeared to have created an impact on the people and if he is able to sustain the same, he would definitely give the TDP a run for its money in the next elections.

The response to Pawan in Srikakulam has naturally caused jitters in the TDP camp. That the TDP is panicky was evident from the reaction of senior TDP leader and former Union minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who generally does not come out with any political statements or criticise his rivals.

But on Saturday, Ashok said the proposed bus yatra by Jana Sena leader Pawan Kalyan in north coastal Andhra would not yield anything.“His brother Chiranjeevi floated Praja Rajyam and merged it with Congress after he failed to win the elections. Now, Pawan will also emulate his elder brother,” he said.