BJP keen to counter an aggressive D.K. Shivakumar in his own style

While the stage is being set in the Congress for the elevation of D.K. Shivakumar as Chief Minister, the BJP is preparing to face the new dispensation with an aggressive approach.

As Mr. Shivakumar is known for his no-holds-barred approach, the BJP has decided to counter him, as they put it, “in his own style.” Already, informal discussions and exchange of ideas have been held among BJP leaders ever since it became clear that Siddaramaiah agreed to relinquish the Chief Minister’s post.

Ahead of polls

According to sources in the BJP, the timing also demands it. “Only two years are left for the Assembly elections. This is a crucial phase where the Opposition has to take the government head on,” observed a BJP leader.

He pointed out that there is a marked difference in the functioning style of Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar. “The former is a socialist veteran leader who was known for political craftiness and ideological orientation. We had to counter him in a sensitive manner. However, Mr. Shivakumar is a different personality who is known for taking things head on. We need to match his aggression to counter him,” said the leader.

For a start, the BJP leaders are planning to build campaigns around various issues involving Mr. Shivakumar including what they call “irregularities” in garbage tender in Bengauru.

Heartburn

The BJP is waiting to cash in on the heartburn and disappointment among those who fail to make it to the ministry now. “Though the power transfer process is appearing to be a smooth affair as of now, there are indications of several tricky issues coming up in the future as Mr. Shivakumar cannot afford to ignore the pet schemes or political constituency of his predecessor. Such issues are bound to snowball into conflict situations due to emerging of alternative power centres if Mr. Siddaramaiah stays back in State politics,” observed another leader.

Already BJP national president Nitin Nabin, who recently held meetings with the State unit, has given a rough road map to the leaders on the campaigns to be taken up. He had asked the leaders to pull their socks up while observing that they were not aggressive enough in projecting themselves as an effective political alternative by taking the Congress government head-on on various issues.

A series of orientation sessions and organisational study camps have been held for them recently with an eye on the 2028 Assembly elections. The change in leadership in the Congress is set to impact the functioning style of the Opposition party too.