Karnataka govt to have Narendra Modi-Amit Shah imprint

BENGALURU: The BS Yediyurappa government will virtually carry the stamp of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah in its administration.
If BJP insiders are to be believed, its leadership in New Delhi is planning to put in place a mechanism to ensure “clean and efficient” administration in the state.
“Good Centre-state coordination is important. Since we have our governments at the Centre as well as the state, the mechanism is expected to favour Karnataka’s development,” said senior leader Jagadish Shettar.
Another leader said the leadership may lay down a comprehensive strategy for Karnataka, which includes setting up of a think-tank to advise and support Yediyurappa in running the government.
This will be discussed in detail when Yediyurappa meets Modi, Shah and senior party leaders in Delhi on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Our leadership will finalise the broad contours of the Karnataka government and its working style. They will give guidance when I meet them in New Delhi,” Yediyurappa told an audience at an event, before leaving for the national capital.
Leaders said the arrangement is to avoid any hiccups that may arise out of the volatile political atmosphere prevailing in the state. “It is to ensure there’s no repeat of what transpired between 2008 and 2011 when an inexperienced Yediyurappa was at the helm in the state. The objective is to make governance immune to political upheavals while ensuring vibrancy,” said a leader.
GUJARAT MODEL OF GOVERNANCE?
The high command may partially implement the Gujarat model of governance, wherein government departments have been brought under different clusters and are monitored by special teams.
“The cluster system is working effectively in Gujarat. Monitoring teams comprise senior IAS officers and ministers. I’m sure it will work well in Karnataka too,” said state BJP general secretary CT Ravi.
Some political experts foresee a change in Yediyurappa’s style of administration this time as they feel the Modi-Shah combine has set higher benchmarks. “When Yediyurappa was the CM last time, the leadership was not commanding. But now, the state administration will have the duo’s imprint,” said Trilochan Sastry, political activist and chairman of association for democratic reforms.
Bypoll challenge
Things are not so rosy for Yediyurappa, especially with bypolls to 17 assembly segments round the corner. He will need the support of Modi and Shah to counter the challenge from the opposition. The BJP must win at least eight of the 17 seats to reach the simple majority mark of 113 in the 224-member assembly, and the party think-tank’s role will be crucial to work out a strategy.
Nominated councillors’ membership cancelled
Chief minister BS Yediyurappa cancelled the membership of 20 corporators — 10 each from the Congress and JD(S) — nominated in 2016 by the Siddaramaiah government. The nominations were made by the government by utilising its franchise provided under Section 7(1)-b of the Karnataka Corporation Act 1976, and nomination orders were issued on May 27, 2016 and June 10, 2016, when Siddaramaiah was the CM. The Yediyurappa government has cancelled these nominations under Section 8 (1) (iii) with immediate effect.