A Leader B S Y (Who Saw Tomorrow) Inner Pages Single Up111_reduce

W henever one thinks of During my schooling, 51 the idea of a ‘role mod- he was often the chief guest el’, what may come to for programmes and annual mind is a famous per- sonality we may have days. My young self was once possibly heard of, or seen on televi- tasked with delivering the sion or read of in a book, a historic figure welcome speeches or vote of or even a superhero. For us, however, this thanks during these occasions was never a remote idea. All we had to do and I remember feeling quite was look within the family. BS Yediyurap- strange and conflicted to pa is celebrated as a prominent political describe him -- a person who leader of this country. Having held sali- was, to me, just my father ent positions for over half-a-century in the field of politics, the titles he has made his -- as a popular MLA of own through his struggle and vision -- mu- Shikaripura nicipal president, MLA, MLC, MP, Leader of Opposition, Dy CM, CM -- are well-nigh Umadevi, Daughter inexhaustible. But to us, he is our father. lems and my mother used to take notes of Growing up, we were never coddled by the people’s names and the problems they him. He always taught us to start our day came with. She was soft-spoken and loving early and be disciplined with our routine; whilst being organised and headstrong. As something that our mother was keen on for father, he always wanted our mother to as well. Education was of foremost impor- join him abroad on his official visits and tance and we were always given the free- they loved to travel together. dom to do what we wanted academically. He is the one who got us into the habit of And for us, even with his toiling sched- reading newspapers and listening to the ule, he always managed to make time. He radio. Even to this day, irrespective of who often made it a point to visit each of the he is meeting and what he is doing, he al- five children’s hostels. “One memory that ways insists on carrying a pen and a short notepad with him -- something that we all have picked up as a habit as well. He en- couraged us to work and, today, expects us to be constantly engaged and advancing further in our fields of expertise. All of us children used to buy groceries from a shop owned by father’s good friend, Ramanna. Many people came home looking for dad, asking for solutions to their prob-

stands out for me, Umadevi, is of a time bought us the most fashionable clothing when he came to visit when I was hospi- and the prettiest accessories. His taste and talised in Mysuru, just before leaving for knack for picking out things has been im- Srinagar for a historic event of flag-hoist- peccable. He always wore black trousers and ing. It was also mine and Aruna’s job each a white shirt. When he went to meet the fa- morning to physically run up to dad’s fel- mous industrialist, Shri Khoday, he decided low MLA and friends’ houses and call them on a specific dress code and only from then to our home on behalf of him.” Telephones on, he began wearing safari suits. “He has were rare and connectivity was poor those always been a foodie and loves to eat rava days. So we daughters were our father’s dosa, masala rotti, nippattu and ice cream messengers. prepared by me (Arunadevi).” One thing father loved and still does is to A devout agriculturist, there were a myr- buy us children small trinkets and cloth- iad of instances when he slept in the fields ing whenever he goes on tours. He always during harvest season. We would carry 52

lunch for him since he was adamant on cause it is not a bed of roses as people of- staying and guarding the farm vigilantly! ten imagine…real danger lurks in the life that many others do not have to face. But He was always there for us when we he is lion-hearted -- resilience and deter- needed him. His strong personality and mination have been his key strengths. He ability to stand up to anyone made us feel has never feared for his life. There have secure. Having come from a background been various instances where he was put of agriculture, he taught us the value of in physical danger, but he has braved them money. Our lifestyle was far from grandi- all. There were even times when our fami- ose. We lived modestly but when it came ly received anonymous death threats. Mom to finances for critical issues, our parents used to send each of her children into hid- always had us covered -- even if it meant ing in different houses until the threat had sacrificing their necessities. passed. We remember numerous instances when we were sent away to sleep over, con- Possessing resilience and a strong per- sonality is a necessity in political life. Be- 53 BSY with family members

fused, in neighbours’ and relatives’ hous- es. We were told the reason only after we grew up. Father is devotional and his faith runs deep. He always wanted the lamp in the There were times when pooja room to remain lit. As a pastime father would start early in on those rare occasions when he did find time, he enjoyed watching movies. He used the morning from Bengaluru to take our mother and us to the cinema whenever he could. He is an avid fan of to reach Shikaripura and authentic Kannada films and his favour- every time, he entered the ite movie of all time is Bellimoda. Bhaav- ageethe, a form of poetic song rendition, house calling out mother’s is our father’s favourite type of music to name: ‘Mythraa….’ listen to. Our mother was a good singer. Whenever he got free time, dad used to re- I always thought mother’s cord mother’s renditions. name sounded beautiful As a person, he is truly unique -- extreme- 54 ly dynamic in the sense that his mind can when it was uttered by him. tie up and understand multiple concepts Sometimes, with father at once. He can compartmentalise and process information faster than most peo- absent for over two weeks, ple, and so he is genuinely always a step ahead of anyone else in the room. And he mother used to make sure never turned that faculty into something that the household ran negative -- he doesn’t like to hear people talk behind each other’s back. He never without any hitches. judges people, not just prematurely but And every Saturday, my also after knowing them. He also believes people easily (some might perhaps argue, mother herself saw to it a bit too easily) and is always positive that the farm and field about people’s capacities. He never dwells on the negative side of a person and is not workers’ wages were paid one to hold grudges. He does not make po- without fail litical rivalries something personal. Also, he is indefatigable -- the amount Arunadevi, Daughter of travelling he still does would faze a

young man! Even at the age of 76, he re- In 1979, during the 55 fuses to forego even the most mundane municipality elections, of events scheduled across the state and dad was headed out in the insists on participating in them all. By wee hours when he was the time we average Joes head back from beaten up brutally with a work, or spend a day watching a movie at metal rod by enemies. He the mall, he would have started his day was bleeding profusely when in Shivamogga, flown up to Bidar for an neighbours rushed him to the event, driven to Kalaburagi for a quick hospital. He told my mom inspection and flown back to Bengaluru while on the hospital bed, ‘If by nightfall -- all whilst planning the next I ever recover and get out of day’s agenda. this alive, it is only for the purpose of serving people’. His travels are quick and sometimes He was admitted for three haphazard. Meeting deadlines means rac- months. I was in 7th grade ing against time and high road speeds. In- then and remember our family deed, he has always been a bit ‘hypocrit- being shaken up completely. ical’ on this matter, in a selfless way! He warns his family against night travel by It took us a while to road and expects us to use the safety of walk around without public transport whenever possible. anticipating the worst Padmavathi, Daughter He was and always has been physically fit. He used to cycle avidly, irrespective of the distance or terrain he had to cover. Cycling was his preferred mode of trans- port to and from villages, even for election campaigning. He used to come home late, around 2 or 3 am, catch a couple hours of sleep and be out by 5 am whenever there was an election around. Even today, his time schedules are borderline ridiculous and inhuman! In spite of all his work, he stays fit with brisk walking every day. He even prefers to hold meetings and catch up with us or his schedule with his assis- tants whilst walking whenever he can! “I (Padmavathi) am reminded of my sister Aruna’s wedding in 1988…it was

coinciding with an election where DH at the wedding to bless his daughter, that Shankaramurthy was contesting. Along he understood if they couldn’t make it to with Aruna’s wedding invitation, our fa- the event. Such was his consideration for ther gave out a letter to all party workers others’ work ethic.” and colleagues saying he preferred them to work for the election first and that they His capacity of analysing and predict- need not necessarily be physically present ing political situations is unprecedented. We have seen him handle the most com- 56

plex and sticky situations with grace and Having him as our father, we have had charm. We have witnessed him prepare the privilege of knowing him from the in- his first budget as the Finance Minister timate inside. and the innovation that it entailed had us all in awe. His speed of working sur- He is truly a unique person. It is a feel- prises us to this day. He wants tasks to be ing of utmost happiness and pride, and completed yesterday! our greatest honour so far to have been his daughters. TOGETHER, WE CAN 57

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LEARNING, RISING 1972 At the age of 29, BSY was elected as president of Shikaripura Taluk Jan Sangh and entered public life 1975 Jailed for 45 days at Shivamogga and Ballari during the Emergency period 1977 1980 Elected as councillor of Shikaripura Municipal Council, Became Shivamogga District in August 1975. Elected as secretary of the president of Shikaripura taluk unit of Bharatiya Janata Party Janata Party (BJP) 60 1982 Led a group of 1,700 bonded labourers to the Shivamogga Deputy Commissioner’s office demanding release and rehabilitation of the bonded labourers 1983 Entered Karnataka Legislative Assembly winning the elections. This election proved to be a turning point in his public life and shaped his political career

1984 Fought for upholding the rights of 61 Bagair Hukum farmers (landless people who unauthorisedly cultivate government lands) and prevented the forest department from planting eucalyptus saplings on the lands of the unauthorised cultivators 1985 Served as Shivamogga District BJP president from 1985 to 1988. Elected to Karnataka Legislative Assembly for the second time 1987 He travelled all over Shikaripura Taluk on bicycle to survey the drought situation and visited all the villages to have a first-hand experi- ence of the ill effects of the drought. As a result, the government took relief work on a war footing 1988 Worked as State BJP president 1989 Elected to Karnataka Legislative Assembly for the third time 1992 Worked as BJP national secretary

SOARING 1994 THROUGH TIME Elected to Karnataka Legislative Assembly for the fourth time and functioned as the Opposition Leader in Karnataka Legislative Assembly 1998-99 Became the State BJP president for the second time 2004 Elected to Karnataka Legislative Council in 62 2000 and remained as Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) till 2004 2004-06 Elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly for the fifth time in 2004 elections and was the Opposition Leader from June 2004 to February 2006. 2006 Appointed as the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka on February 3 in the JD(S)-BJP coalition government led by H.D. Kumaraswamy

2007 As Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister, 63 he successfully presented two budgets. New Initiatives: Loan waiver, abolition of arrack and lotteries, farm credit at 4% interest rate, Bhagyalakshmi Scheme to empower girl children from BPL families, distribution of free bicycles to 8th Standard students from BPL families, Suvarna Kayaka employment training scheme to tackle unemployment problem, Sandhya Suraksha Social Security Pension Scheme for senior citizens, etc. Took oath as Chief Minister of Karnataka on November 12, 2007 to head the first ever BJP led coalition government in South India. But the tenure lasted for only seven days 2008 Took oath as Chief Minister of Karnataka on May 30. The tenure lasted for 3 years and 66 days. 2011 He resigned on July 31, and then won from the Shivamogga seat in the 2014 general election by a margin of 3,63,305 votes 2018 In 2016, BJP re-appointed him as the president of Karnataka state BJP unit. He was BJP's CM candidate in 2018 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election. 2019 By-elections to 15 state assembly constituencies were held in Karnataka on December 5 and results were announced on December 9. BJP, the ruling party, needed to win six out of the 15 seats to maintain its majority. It won 12 out of 15 seats. On July 26, BSY was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka

STEP BY STEP A look at B S Yediyurappa's political journey makes it very clear that the RSS and its philosophy is the foundation of his political life. He worked hard for building Jan Sangh and later the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka. At a time the BJP was considered as the party that mostly enjoyed the support of people living in urban areas, he realised the need and importance of taking the party to the masses and get the support from all sections of the society at the grassroots level. That was how his political experiment began from Shikaripura 64 Municipality Taking the In 1965, elections: In RSS to all villages as Jan 1977, he was in Shikaripura Sangh elected as the chairman was the first candidate, of Town Municipality major milestone. he won Farmers, dalits, Shikaripura and youngsters Town from the Municipality backward elections. communities His joined the RSS experiment as volunteers. was so The RSS spread successful its roots in all that his wife villages in the Mythradevi taluk also won

DURING EMERGENCY, HE 1983 He launched a historic movement for SPENT 40 DAYS IN JAIL regularising Bagair Hukum cultivation. He He successfully fought for it in the assembly led a padayatra from 1985 He went around Shikaripura Taluk on bicycle to Shivamogga to organise farmers during drought. That was one Bengaluru demanding that of his major pro-people struggles the government conduct panchayat elections. 1988 He organised farmers' rallies from Basavana Senior leader Bagewadi to Bengaluru and Banawasi LK Advani had inaugurated the 1992 Took part in Unity Rally led by Murli Manohar padayatra Joshi at Lal Chowk in Jammu and Kashmir 2012 1994 Launched an agitation to save 65 grama rajya He launched Karnataka Janata 1995 He took part in Sankalpa Yatre and travelled Paksha (KJP). He continuously for 45 days rejoined BJP in 2014 1998 Took part in Save Cauvery agitation and a rally from KRS to Talacauvery 1998 Took part in Sankalpa Yatre from Nanjangud to Hubballi 2002 Walked from Shivamogga to Shikaripura, to support Bagair Hukum cultivators 2006 On February 3, he became deputy CM and Finance Minister in BJP-JDS coalition government 2018 2019 2019 BJP won 12 The BIP emerged as The BJP under out of 15 seats single largest party and his leadership in the assembly he took over as the CM. won 25 out of 28 bypolls. He resigned later LS seats.

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DRIVE & 69 DETERMINATION Yediyurappa's defining trait is determination. Grit and tenacity are his other qualities. The kind of dedication he brings to work is inspirational, say his friends. He fights for just causes and goes to any length, literally — he has taken out padayatras and bicycle yatras to get justice for the downtrodden. His mission is to usher in a glorious era of strong, stable and inclusive governance.

SECULAR APPROACH T he names of B S Yediyurappa’s home turf and district begin with the letter S — Shikaripura and Shivamogga, respectively. But this is not the S one is talking about. It is the Big S — Secularism. And he believes in the power of this S. Though Shikaripura constituency has about 50,000 Lingayat voters, the remaining number of voters is 1,20,000, belonging to various castes and communities. It includes more than 20,000 Muslim community votes. It was another S —'Sabka Saath'— that enabled Yediyurappa to win the confidence of all communities. His personal approach has ensured that this constituency turned into his bastion — a Secular one. 70

PEOPLE'S 71 LOVE PROPELS HIM S hikaripura constituency is one which has sent Yediyurappa to the assembly several times. An elected MLA always focuses on his constituency, like Yediyurappa. It is the people's love and Yediyurappa's trust in the local leaders that has ensured that he didn't have to visit Shikaripura frequently. He knew well that the party workers and leaders would follow his path and work for the betterment of the constituency. The voters too knew this. It is this mutual trust that stood him in good stead. The party workers always supported their leader and their role is significant in making Yediyurappa a ‘state leader’. This also helped Yediyurappa in organising the party base across the state, right from Bidar in the North to Kodagu in the South.

THINKING FIELDS D uring his tenure as the chief ment is substantially less than what other minister of Karnataka from sectors enjoy. Lack of appropriate tech- 72 2008-2011, several initiatives nology was another deficiency, according were undertaken to improve to Yediyurappa. He believed that, in spite farm incomes. Contrary to of the technologies developed in laborato- the general trend among economists, he ries and private research institutions, the always stayed close to his belief that the fruits of these were not adequately reach- agriculture sector has high potential to ing the farmers. This applied to appro- create employment and generate income priate crop varieties, as also agricultural in rural areas. But he was realistic enough practices, training and related matters. to know there were crucial deficiencies in Processing and marketing was another how agriculture and allied sectors were area of concern for him. He felt that farm being sought to be developed. produce, generated with great hardship, One of the main deficiencies, over sev- does not fetch reasonable prices. Lack eral decades, has been inadequate invest- of partnerships, despite the expertise of ment. Most of the investment that goes many national and international-level into India’s farms is the farmer’s own. institutions being available, was also an And since farmers do not easily get the area of deficiency for Yediyurappa. He be- capital assistance they require through lieved that there was a need to formulate financial institutions, the overall invest- appropriate policies in the direction.

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Keeping these deficiencies in mind, Yedi- 75 yurappa drafted solutions in his first-of-its- kind agriculture budget. Firstly, the state provided agriculture loans at an interest of 1 per cent to farmers through cooper- ative societies. It extended the Bhoochet- na programme with ICRISAT to all 30 districts to cover nearly 30 lakh farmers, mainly to help improve crop yield levels. The state also provided Rs 1,000 crore to improve the livelihoods of 10 lakh farm- ers under the Suvarna Bhoomi Yojane -- each farmer got Rs 10,000 (given in two instalments). There were a series of other measures. Yediyurappa’s government also estab- lished an Agriculture Infrastructure Fund of Rs 500 crore. He increased the Agriculture Revolving Fund to Rs 1,000 crore. Rs 200 crore was provided to sup- port organic farming and increase the number of organic farmers from 87,200 to 5,28,000 within a certain time-frame. He released an Agri-business Development Policy and even organised a Global Agri Investors Meet for the first time in the country. Due to his government’s interven- tion, the fertiliser market in the state was stabilised. During his tenure, the Kar- nataka State Marketing Federation han- dled 23 lakh tonnes of fertiliser valued at Rs 1,800 crore.

SUCCESSA NOVEL APPROACH TO To improve the state of affairs in Karnataka, BSY moved away from the conventional thought, focussing instead on areas which were of priority. These were ideas which changed the political course of the state I t is clear that BSY’s welfare philoso- Fund’ to support farmers during price fluc- phy is based on turning government tuations, a ‘Raitha Bandhu Department’ into an enabling factor that builds under the CMO to monitor implementation 76 capacities and changes ground re- of all farmer-friendly schemes, a ‘Mukhya alities, not merely be a benefactor Mantri Raitha Suraksha Vime Yojane’ for who leaves the core reasons for economic free accidental insurance cover of up to stagnation untouched. Offering distress Rs 2 lakh for landless farm labourers, the relief has a role within such a frame too. Rs 1.5 lakh crore ‘Sujalam Suphalam Kar- To this end, in his very first cabinet meet- nataka Yojane’ to complete all irrigation ing, he proposed a crop loan waiver of up to projects by 2023, ‘Mission Kalyani’ to reju- Rs 1 lakh, including all loans from nation- venate all tanks and lakes in the state, and alised banks and cooperatives. ‘Negilayogi three-phase power supply for 10 hours to Yojane’ was also suggested in the manifes- enable farmers to operate their pumpsets. to to provide direct income support of Rs He also proposed the Rs 100 crore ‘Raitha 10,000 to 20 lakh dry land farmers who fall Bandhu Scholarship’ to enable farmers’ in the small and marginal category. children to pursue agriculture and allied To ensure that farmers receive 1.5 times sector courses in the state. the cost of production as Minimum Sup- He planned to enable 1,000 farmers to trav- port Price, things have to be secured at sev- el to countries like Israel and China every eral levels. For this, he envisaged a Rs 5,000 year to study best practices in agriculture crore ‘Raitha Bandhu Market Intervention under the Chief Minister’s Fellowship

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for Agriculture. Developing crop-specific earmarked to encourage women in the 79 strategies for paddy, sugarcane, coconut, dairy farming sector. The ‘Mukhya Mantri arecanut, coffee and other widely grown Smartphone Yojane’ was to provide women crops in the state was also on his radar. from BPL families with free smartphones. Free sanitary napkins were to be distribut- He planned to allocate Rs 3,000 crore to ed to BPL women and girl students, and at promote export of fruits and vegetables Rs 1 to other women under the new Stree under a cluster-based approach through Suvidha Scheme. The amount payable the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF). at maturity under the Bhagyalaksh- The Rs 3,000 crore Kamadhenu Fund for mi scheme was upped to Rs 2 lakh. The the development of animal husbandry ‘Vivaha Mangala Yojane’ was to provide and dairy farming infrastructure and a Rs a 3-gram gold thaali and Rs 25,000 for the 1,000 crore fund for expanding veterinary marriage of BPL women. And a Special services, both administered by KMF, also Investigation Cell, under a woman police found priority. officer and employing 1,000 policewomen, was envisaged to investigate all pending The Karnataka Prevention of Cow crimes against women. Slaughter and Preservation Bill 2012 was planned to be reintroduced. The Gau Seva BSY was also keen on empowering the Aayoga was to be re-established. His plans youth. And thus, he planned to ensure included increasing milk production to availability of quality work opportuni- 1 crore litres from 77 lakh litres, increas- ties for everyone through skill develop- ing the subsidy for silk-rearing units of ment, self-employment and job creation. 1,000 sq ft area from Rs 75,000 to Rs 3 lakh He planned to establish 60 state-of-the-art and increase subsidy proportionately for Namma BPO complexes across the state smaller units. and set up a corpus of Rs 250 crore for low interest loans to encourage local entre- Another area of focus was women empow- preneurs to set up BPO businesses. Under erment. In his manifesto, he announced the the ‘Mukhya Mantri Laptop Yojane’, he Rs 10,000 crore Stree Unnati Fund to set up planned to provide every student enrolling one of the largest women-run cooperatives in a college with a free laptop. Other plans and the Stree Unnati stores to market its included developing six ‘K-Hubs’ as the products at district and taluk headquar- biggest incubators and co-working spac- ters. Loans up to Rs 2 lakh were planned to es for startups in India at Hubballi, Ben- be given to women-only Self Help Groups galuru, Raichur, Mysuru, Kalaburagi and at 1% interest. Apart from this, he planned Mangaluru; earmarking Rs 100 crore for to establish 30 new mini, micro, small and upgradation of sports facilities in govern- medium enterprise clusters under a Rs ment schools and colleges, and developing 100 crore Karnataka Mahila Enterprise community youth centres. Cluster Program to support women-run businesses. A corpus of Rs 100 crore was

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The tired soul 81 never weeps. It strives for another dawn and struggles to work again. But the profoundness of waking up and finding happiness is when one makes a difference to the life of others. And that is my sole pursuit

KNOWING THE STATE T ravelling extensively across the state could keep a political leader in touch with the people and also help him know ground realities. B S Yediyurappa knows this. All through his political journey, he has been travelling the length and breadth of the state. When he was not in power, he used to organise the people across the state over any issue bothering them. During the Congress-JD(S) coalition rule, BSY went around the state to galvanise the party cadre as well as to apprise people about the mistakes committed by the coalition government. Most BJP leaders in the state restricted their movements to their constituency or a few districts. But Yediyurappa evolved as a state leader by regularly tour- ing and keeping in contact with the people and gaining the confidence of the local leaders. This was evident during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections when a corporator from Bengaluru 82 was brought to Kolar and he went on to win the elections!

THE 83 THEIST WITHIN A24/7 politician, for B S Yediyurap- pa, there is no life beyond politics. But the God-fearing BSY has visit- ed almost all the temples in the state as well as in other states too. He also visits mutts and seeks the blessings of the seers. Being a devotee of Guru Raghavendra Swamy, Yediyurappa visits Mantralayam (Andhra Pradesh) frequently. And he has named his first son Raghavendra, after the Man- tralayam seer, and second son Vijayendra, the name of the Guru of Raghavendra Swamy. He is also a great devotee of Lord Huchchurayaswamy (Lord Anjaneya). Be- fore filing his nomination papers and after the victory, he makes it a point to visit Sri Huchchurayaswamy temple in Shikaripu- ra, built by Vyasarayaru.

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Spiritual life 85 has always been important to me. It provides a certain solace that helps me in overcoming every stumble. It is often in times of darkness that I have seen light

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PTEHRESONA 87 In BSY, there is the capacity to create a compelling vision and translate it into action and sustain it. Here are some perspectives on his ideology, politics, and policies.

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A POLITICAL JOURNEY TOGETHER 89 THE MAN AND THE PARTY T HE story goes back to early 1980s…The BJP, fresh from the high of the Janata ex- periment, was at that time redefining itself under a new name -- and making a serious play for the centre stage of national politics on its own steam. This story of a lead- er’s political baptism coincides with that new chapter in Indian politics. In time, and more importantly, in content. The new party and the yet-to-be crowned leader were both set to reach for the sky while having their feet anchored firmly on the ground.

B.S. Yediyurappa’s commitment to a hibited. He was always the fighter, will- socially rooted political activism had ing to take up cudgels for just causes. already started back in 1965, when as BSY had a special concern for farm- a youth in his early twenties he began ers’ and labourers’ rights from his ini- working through the Rashtriya Swayam- tial days in politics, recollects his long- sevak Sangha (RSS). A decade later, in time associate and party veteran from 1975, he had taken his first plunge into the district, DH Shankarmurthy. “He electoral politics -- being elected as mu- used to fight very aggressively for their nicipality president in Shikaripura, his cause,” he says. Shankarmurthy, former hometown in Shivamogga district. chairman of the state legislative coun- But the definitive turn in his emergence cil, had seen it all first hand as a com- as one of the tallest leaders in the state, rade-in-arms. He recalls instances in the perhaps in all of South India, came that early ’70s when Yediyurappa used to vis- day in the early ’80s, at a farmers’ rally it every village in the taluk on a bicycle, in Shivamogga. Party stalwart Bhairon and sometimes even on foot. He vividly Singh Shekhawat happened to be there remembers the day when he himself in- to address the gathering. The veteran, augurated one such “cycle yatra” by the who had already seen three decades of young leader. politics and had once been CM of Rajast- Just like many other national-lev- 90 han by then, was thoroughly impressed el leaders of the Bharatiya Jan Sangh, by a young man, still in his thirties. It Yediyurappa was arrested and sent to was none other than BSY. jail during the Emergency, being lodged He saw two essential traits in the in Ballari and Shivamogga jails. At that young man: a ready connect with farm- time, many party veterans, including ers and concern for their welfare, and L K Advani, were lodged in Bengaluru a leader’s natural flair for communica- Central Jail. Shankarmurthy too spent tion and organisation. The impression nearly 18 months in Belagavi Jail. BSY made was so strong that, at the ral- Imprisonment during Emergency came ly, Shekhawat declared that the young as an early inflection point in young leader would one day become the Chief Yediyurappa’s political journey. It made Minister of Karnataka. The prophecy him more resolute as a leader. In 1980, came true almost a quarter century later he went on to become president of the when Bookanakere Siddalingappa Yedi- Shikaripura taluk unit of the BJP. With- yurappa became the Chief Minister for in three years, he was elected to the as- the first time in 2007. sembly for the first time. And, by 1985, That came as a fulfilment of the leader- he was the party’s Shivamogga district ship traits Yediyurappa had always ex- president. The growth arc was set.

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But growth, in his case, never meant gave him a further impetus to fight for 93 displacement from the roots. Even be- the causes he believed in because it of- fore his entry into the state legislature fered him a platform to voice his ideas. in 1983, it was his attentiveness to the As he was slowly making it big in his inequalities of society, and his ethical own party and in state politics, BSY took response to them, that marked out BSY. up several social causes and issues. He took out another padayatra and staged A new phase had started with his fight a day-and-night dharna to demand title against bonded labour. In 1981-82, he deeds for ‘bagair hukum’ cultivators. staged a day-and-night dharna in front of the taluk panchayat office in Shika- His journey as a legislator was remark- ripura to free bonded labourers from able -- beginning in 1983, he won eight their employers’ clutches and rehabili- elections, except the one in 1999. He first tate them. became the leader of the opposition in 1994. In 1999, the only time he lost an as- His fight for the cause of bonded la- sembly election, he became a member of bourers brought him recognition across the legislative council, and reverted to the state. He even took out a massive pa- being leader of the opposition in the leg- dayatra from Shikaripura to Shivamog- islative assembly again in 2004. ga with thousands of bonded labourers freed from their employers. Such was his The next step came up two years later, impact that the district and state admin- when he became the Deputy Chief Min- istration had to focus all attention on the ister and Finance Minister in the JDS- accursed fate of bonded labourers. This BJP coalition government headed by HD fight, where he exhibited both his con- Kumaraswamy in 2006. The pact between nect with grassroots issues and his ca- the two coalition partners was that the pacity to articulate those issues in the JDS would relinquish the CM’s post af- public sphere, became one of the factors ter 20 months in favour of the BJP. Thus, that helped in his first election in 1983. Yediyurappa took over as CM in 2007, but had to step down just a week later as the In 1985, when a severe drought hit Shi- regional party did not extend support to karipura taluk, Yediyurappa toured the him as promised. entire taluk on his bicycle and listened to the problems of the people. He demand- Never one to give up without fight, the ed that the government waive farmers’ Lingayat strongman travelled extensive- loans and took out a yatra from Basava- ly across the state and galvanised his nabagevadi to Basavakalyan and from party cadre. The groundswell was such Banavasi to Bengaluru. that, much before the 2008 elections, it became clear that Yediyurappa would re- Once he entered the assembly, there turn as CM. For the first time, under his was no looking back. Being a legislator

leadership, the BJP crossed the mark of 100, falling just short of getting a simple majority of 113 in the House of 225. As independent legislators extended their support, the BJP formally took office un- der his leadership -- its first real elector- al success in South India! His tenure as CM saw him implement a number of programmes and welfare schemes benefiting a cross-section of peo- ple. But adverse political circumstances at that point in time forced him to leave the party — and neither side prospered. The KJP, led by Yediyurappa, did not win too many seats in the 2013 assembly elections despite getting support from people across the state. The BJP without him was rudderless as well. The breach was filled soon enough, though. BSY was 94 back in the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and won from his native district, Shivamogga. Realising his potential and huge popu- larity across the state, he was made the party state president in 2016. Yediyurap- pa worked tirelessly to ensure that the party was battle-ready before the 2018 assembly elections. Thanks to his hard work and the support he got from all sen- ior leaders in the party, the BJP yet again emerged as the single largest party with 104 seats in the 2018 elections. As leader of the single largest party, Yediyurappa took oath as the CM for the third time, but had to resign within three days as he could not get enough time to prove ma- jority on the floor of the House.

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96 Though the Congress numbers had dropped BJP, Sumalatha Ambareesh, who con- significantly and the JDS had managed to tested as an independent candidate win just 37 seats in the assembly elections, the from Mandya Lok Sabha seat, even parties joined hands to form a coalition gov- trounced then Chief Minister HD Ku- ernment. But as infighting soon took its toll, maraswamy’s actor son Nikhil Kumar- Yediyurappa came across as a focused field aswamy, in a constituency considered marshal. He was keen on playing a big role in to be a JDS stronghold. After the BJP’s ensuring Narendra Modi’s return to power in massive victory in the Lok Sabha elec- the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. tions, the coalition government col- lapsed due to its own internal contra- Under Yediyurappa’s leadership, the dictions. Kumaraswamy was forced to BJP created yet another record. For resign as 17 MLAs -- 14 Congress and the first time, the party won 25 out three from JDS -- resigned from their of 28 Lok Sabha seats. Backed by the

97 assembly membership. matic national leadership -- that the BJP That paved the way for Yediyurappa’s made inroads into the Old Mysore region, considered an impregnable bastion of return as Chief Minister for fourth time. JDS/Congress. From being a town mu- Under his leadership, the party won 12 nicipality member to a four-time Chief out of 15 assembly seats during the bye- Minister, Yediyurappa has come a long lections in December 2019. With that, way. The BJP’s own journey in the state the BJP’s strength in the assembly went -- its emergence as a true pan-Karnataka up to 117, well past the simple majority party -- too can be mapped entirely on to mark of 113. his graph of success. Now, as the Chief Executive Officer of the state, he works The fortunes of the party and the lead- tirelessly for the state’s welfare without er were closely intertwined. Such was even taking a break. the credible appeal of BSY -- as an apt ve- hicle and conduit for the party’s charis-

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I have always 99 believed in the strength of collaboration. Every person who has come in close contact with me has left a deep mark on my mind, giving me memories of a lifetime

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