Speculation churns over Horatti’s undecided fate in BJP

Hubballi: Basavaraj Horatti has created a record by getting re-elected MLC for the eighth consecutive term, but his loyalists are worried for his future in the BJP, which is not in the mood to move Raghunath Rao Malkapure as post of pro-term chairman of the council.
The BJP is said to retain Malkapure to keep the Kuruba community happy after the resignation of KS Eshwarappa as minister.
As the BJP is also unsure about expanding the cabinet, there is little chance that Horatti will get a berth soon.
The BJP also has several leaders from the Lingayat Banajiga community, to which Horatti belongs. He could face competition from Banajiga BJP leaders like former chief minister Jagadish Shettar for any post.
According to the latest speculation, the BJP has decided not to give any position to Horatti till the next Assembly election is over. Meanwhile, Horatti’s followers are ciyting the instances of SM Krishna, H Vishwanath and V Srinivas Prasad who were sidelined in the party.
A leader, who was once a minister but joined the BJP in recent years, told TOI that he had warned Horatti about the BJP’s use-and-throw policy. “Though I am a former minister, some BJP state leaders do not have the courtesy to tell me to take a seat. When I was their opponent in South Karnataka, they made many promises such as a berth in the cabinet. I have shared this with Horatti and hope it won’t happen with him,” he said.
Vikas Soppin, an AAP leader, said that despite having the chief minister, a Union minister, a former chief minister, 2 MPs, many ministers and MLAs in the Karnataka West Teachers’ legislative council constituency, the BJP had no guts of winning the constituency. “Horatti is a teachers’ leader, irrespective of party affiliation. The BJP, which had never won the constituency, has won by offering him a red-carpet welcome. It should note that it’s not the BJP’s success, but Horatti’s credibility gained over 42 years. Hence, it should repay him the due credit by offering council chairman’s post or a ministerial berth,” he said.
One of Horatti’s close aides said there is speculation doing rounds in the BJP that it cannot move Malkapure from the council chairman’s post. “Party leaders are saying Horatti will be accorded a status (befitting him) after the Assembly polls. The party leadership should remember that Horatti was the council chairman while quitting he JD(S). If it defers or delays in honouring Horatti, the party will lose its trust in the public domain and will face the consequences from Lingayats in the region,” he said.
Mahesh Tenginkai, the BJP state general secretary, said a discussion has not begun over a change in the post of council chairman. “Malkapure is a pro-term chairman. The party’s state leadership and nigh command will take a decision probably by the time of the next Sssembly session,” he said.