Basavaraj Bommai, the outgoing Chief Minister of Karnataka, has attributed the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) defeat in the recently concluded assembly elections to several factors. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Bommai acknowledged that the Congress party had an early start in their campaigning and showcased better organization, while the BJP’s messaging fell short in the state.
The BJP, which was previously in power, managed to secure 66 out of the 224 assembly seats. In contrast, the Congress won 135 seats, and HD Kumaraswamy’s Janata Dal-Secular secured 19 seats. Reflecting on the election results, Bommai identified three reasons for the Congress’s victory. Firstly, he noted that the people were influenced by the promise of freebies. Secondly, he admitted that the Congress had a head start in their campaign, which was a departure from the usual advantage enjoyed by the BJP. Bommai conceded that the BJP made decisions and took action relatively late in comparison. Lastly, he acknowledged that although the BJP government had undertaken numerous programs, the effective communication of the government’s major decisions to the people was lacking.
Bommai also highlighted the BJP’s unchanged vote share, while acknowledging that the party’s penetration into southern Karnataka, a stronghold of the Janata Dal Secular, had inadvertently benefited the Congress. According to him, around five percent of the JD(S) votes had shifted to the Congress. The BJP maintained its vote share of 36 percent from the previous elections in 2018, while the Congress witnessed an increase from 38.1 percent to 42.9 percent. Meanwhile, the JD(S) experienced a decline in vote share from 18.3 percent to 13.3 percent.
Looking ahead, Bommai admitted that it would take a few months for the BJP to improve its situation. Taking responsibility for the defeat, he emphasized the need for early preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He called for the infusion of new blood and new thinking at all levels of the party, along with the rejuvenation of workers. Bommai expressed confidence that within three to six months, there would be positive changes that would help the BJP regain its footing.
When questioned about the post of the leader of the Opposition, Bommai, as one of the senior MLAs from the BJP, remained non-committal. He stated that irrespective of holding the position, he would contribute to strengthening the party’s campaign.
Bommai emphasized his responsibility and commitment to the party’s cause, stressing that he had previously served as Chief Minister for two years and had implemented several successful programs. He expressed his determination to once again connect with the people and take up their issues, indicating that the overall responsibility rested on his shoulders. Karnataka, being a significant battleground state, sends 28 Members of Parliament to the Lok Sabha.
Basavaraj Bommai acknowledged the reasons behind the BJP’s defeat in the assembly elections, identified areas for improvement, and expressed his dedication to rebuilding the party’s strength in preparation for future electoral battles.
