BSY stands up, makes sure he’s counted

After a month’s public silence, former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa spoke up on Monday. The message to both the BJP and Opposition was loud and clear: he cannot be politically dismissed.

Participating in a debate on drought in the Legislative Assembly, Yeddyurappa castigated his party’s government for its “inept” handling of the drought.

“Release Rs 10,000 crore immediately for drought relief work, give `5,000 each to 30 lakh small and marginal farmers,’’ he said.

In the same stroke, he took the wind out of Opposition’s sails by demanding waiver of loans to farmers. He even announced he would tour the state next month to assess the ground realities and respond to farmers’ plight.

Seeking a commitment from the government on the demands, he warned, “If you fail to do so, you will all lose the opportunity to become MLAs and ministers again.”

The BJP strongman was at his best in playing the farmers’ card. The aggressive tone of his speech reminded many in the House of his days as an Opposition leader.

At one stage, as it sounded like he was speaking for the Centre, the Opposition promptly began thumping the desks. “We look to the Centre for grants. Let us do what we can and then approach the Centre,” he said.

“The agriculture universities and Agriculture Department have prepared no action plan. We take big salaries, let us work for people,” he thundered.

“Farmers are taking cattle to slaughterhouses as authorities have not provided fodder. People are drinking fluoride contaminated water. What is wrong with officials? When we elected representatives are not alert, how will officials work? Let us have some sense of repentance.”

At the end of his speech, he had achieved his objective: to make his presence felt and to endear himself to the farmer. He also succeeded in conveying to his rivals — both within and outside BJP — that he may be down, but not out.