‘Mr Clean’ out, DVS on the way?

The sudden and shocking resignation of Law Minister S Suresh Kumar over the allotment of a ‘G’ category site from the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) under the Chief Minster’s discretionary quota is likely to tilt equations within the BJP factions as CM D V Sadananda Gowda would be directly affected by the Minister’s exit.

Though a political nominee of former CM B S Yeddyurappa, Gowda had found strong support in Kumar after the strained relations with his political mentor. The CM was not taking any decision without consulting the Law Minister. In fact, it was one of the charges levelled against the the CM by RDPR Minister Jagadish Shettar before switching camps to the former CM.

Suresh Kumar, CM’s man Friday

Kumar is a key player in the government, who is in-charge of monitoring CM’s flagship programme Sakala, Delivery of Government Services Guarantee Act and he is also floor leader in the Assembly. In a way, the resignation has helped the Yeddyurappa faction to gain an upper hand both in the government and the party.

Kumar’s resignation puts the CM in a tight-spot as Gowda himself faces the allegations of violating rules by using BDA site allotted to him in HSR layout for commercial purposes. The case is pending before the High Court.

Kumar comes from the RSS ranks and has strong backing of the Sangh Parivar and the party high command, but the latest controversy involving him will certainly give enough ammunition to the Opposition - both within the party and outside - to take on the government in forthcoming Assembly session.

The only saving grace, though, is that unlike the resignations of other ministers — C C Patil, Laxman Savadi and Krishna Palemar — in the infamous porngate scandal, the charges against Kumar are not that grave and he gracefully bowed out even before someone could demand his scalp.

Extremes in BJP to the fore

In fact, Kumar’s resignation also shows two extremes in the BJP. “The immediate resignation shows his gesture and respect for probity in public life. We have seen many politicians clinging to power despite facing many allegations,” political analyst Sandeep Shastri told Express. The charges against the BJP’s ‘Mr Clean’, however, are expected to shock his partymen and give leeway to the Opposition to attack the already battered saffron unit in the state.

“Suresh Kumar is seen as a politician with a blemish-less record and such an issue involving him raises many questions. BJP has got lot of answering to do,” Shastri reasoned.

The BJP and the RSS are strongly backing Kumar. “We fully support the stand taken by Kumar,” a senior RSS leader told Express after Kumar rubbished allegations made against him and defended his decision to resign on moral grounds.