BANGALORE: The Congress which has been out of power in Karnataka since 2006 is finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel following the ouster of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who belongs to the powerful Lingayat community - which comprises over 18 per cent of the state’s total population.The Lokayukta report on illegal mining which indicted the CM and several other ministers seems to have infused a fresh lease of life to the party which has the strength of 71 members in the 225-member Karnataka assembly.The party in the past had tried to oust the first-ever saffron government south of the Vindhyas by taking advantage of an amenable Governor who had made an abortive attempt to oblige party leaders by recommending the dismissal of the state government twice to the Centre.KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar and Opposition leaders in the state legislature, including Siddaramaiah and Motamma, are in favour of dissolution of the Assembly and facing fresh elections.Congress leaders opine that the ouster of the powerful BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa and the reported rebellion within his supporters would benefit the party if elections were to be held.The party’s 60-day programme, Janara Balige Congress Nadige, which had received a good response from the rank and file of the party at the grassroots has emboldened the Congress to face elections.History shows that the Congress in Karnataka has benefited the most from intra- party rivalry in the Opposition; it had won elections in 1989, 1999 and 2004 when the opposition Janata party had divisions within.
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