How Many Lingayat MLAs in Karnataka and Their Political Impact
Karnataka Assembly elections 2018 revealed how pivotal the Lingayat community is in the political arena, with a significant number of 58 out of 224 MLAs from the Lingayath-Veerashaiva community. The distribution was 38 from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 16 from the Indian National Congress (Congress), and 4 from the Jan Dal (Secular) (JD(S)).
The Lingayat Community and Its Influence
The Lingayat community, which makes up 17% of Karnataka's population, plays a crucial role in over 90 seats in the state. The political maneuvering in the 2018 assembly elections was marked by parties leveraging the community for their gains.
B.S. Yedurappa, a towering figure in the Lingayat community, saw his party, BJP, enjoy significant support from this demographic. However, the Congress party, playing a strategic political game, attempted to divide the Hindu vote bank by demanding that the Lingayat community be recognized as a separate religion.
Political Consequences and Backlash
This move backfired as the backlash from the Lingayat community resulted in the loss of three out of four senior Lingayat Congress leaders. This led to a fractured mandate with BJP falling short of the 112 mark and the JD(S) and Congress managing 116 seats combined, supporting their leader Kumaraswamy as the Chief Minister.
Electoral Strategies and Controversies
Despite this, there is a growing concern among around 12-15 Lingayat MLAs in the Congress and JD(S) who may not be satisfied with the government's coalition agreement with BJP. BJP may attempt to persuade these MLAs to absent themselves during the formation of the government, potentially jeopardizing Kumaraswamy's leadership.
The reasons for their dissatisfaction are rooted in past political agreements. In 2006, Kumaraswamy and B.S. Yedurappa had an understanding where both would lead the government for a defined period. However, BJP's withdrawal after Kumaraswamy declined to continue in the CM post after 20 months was perceived as a betrayal by the Lingayat community.
Caste-Based Politics and Its Limitations
The Lingayat situation highlights the pervasive impact of caste-based politics in India. Despite the electoral outcomes, there is a stark reality that politics continues to be driven by community and caste factors rather than growth-oriented issues. The political scene, marred by horse-trading and resort politics, makes it essential to raise awareness and advocate for cleaner politics.
India needs and deserves more transparent and issue-driven governance. The continuous reliance on caste-based strategies not only undermines the democratic process but also hinders progress and development.