BJP which lost its face in the last assembly elections is struggling to select an Opposition Leader. Or you can say that there is no hurry for them to make an Opposition Leader even after a month after the results were announced. The high command at Delhi is least bothered about the party affairs in Karnataka after the results gave it not a ruling party status but a formidable opposition party status. As of now, it's former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai is acting as an Opposition Leader in the vaccum. It is quite natural for him to defend his party and also to give counters for Congress or state government. Either the state leaders or central leaders bothered about this issue and they are all in holiday mood after recouping from disastrous defeat. It seems that they have totally forgotten that the people of the state have given a mandate to to effectively function as an Opposition party. The delay damages the democratic process and pull the party backwards. Its also surprising that after its ridiculous defeat it has not called the legeslative party meeting!
Delay will cost BJP
BJP has a tradition to delay to solve pertinent issues since decades. Firstly, they failed to identify a CM candidate before elections. They wanted to take chances in case of victory. Although it said that it going to elections in the leadership of Basavaraj Bommai, but never made an announcement that he will be their CM candidate. After all now he owns the responsibility for party's disastrous defeat. Bommai, all said and done is not a mass leader like BS Yeddyurappa. He is just a stop gap arrangement. A ruling party shouldn't have done this mistake. He cannot be compared with robust leaders like Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar of Congress. Infact BJP doesn't have such rustic, strong leaders.
Leaders in queue: Bommai
Informally, party sources have identified few names to take the mantle. Naturally former CM Basavaraj Bommai's name is inthe forefront. He may a good choice to pullon with Congress without any confrontation. But he lacks the toughness in attacking. He is not taken serious by CM Siddaramaiah because of his Janata Dal acquaintance. Infront of Siddaramaiah's stature and seniority, Bommai is childish. A major advantage is the caste appeasement as he belongs to majority lingayat community. BJP although lost significant percentage of support from this community, it want to get their support back at least in the next parliament elections. But it is doubtful that he can raise to the expectations of the party despite his long experience in legislature.
R. Ashoka
He is equally good like Bommai. He is a senior MLA in the party. He belongs to another major community of vokkaligas in interior Karnataka. Vokkaliga votes have divided into three parties equally this time. They are not traditional supporters like lingayats. He may not be liked by the other side of Karnataka like North and coastal area MLA's. His equations may be good with DCM DK Shivakumar, who is of his own caste and he only gave friendly fight to him in Kanakapura constituency. He has a good chance but performance may be poor against CM Siddaramaiah's personality.
Basanagowda Patil Yathnal
He is a most controversial leader in BJP through his scathing attacks either on own party leaders or on Congress. More over, being a panchamasali lingayat he commands respect in the community. As he hails from Vijayapura, he is liked by northern part MLA'S. He is a senior parlimentarian, has experience of holding coal and railway portfolios in Vajapayee government. He is a loyal party worker unlike Boommai who defecteu from Janata Dal. He seems to be a good match to this position to fight with Congress government and particularly to take on CM Siddaramaiah as he is a don't care master. But he will be a headache to party because of his controversial brave statements at times.
Aravind Bellad
A young leader with lot of dreams to develop the state. Once a contender to CM post when Bommai was selected. He is gentle in his approach but firm. He is also from north Karnataka region belongs to lingayat community. He is well educated and loyal to the party. As he has not got experience in government, his raw nature may make him good opposition leader.
Others
There are many other senior MLA's elected are also eyeing the post . They are S. Suresh Kumar and V Sunil Kumar. A post of deputy opposition leader is also to be filled up from among these veterans. There is stiff competition and hectic lobbying is going on. It is high time BJP should mend its ways of functioning in democratic system without further delaying the appointment.
(Dr Mysi Patil is the State Correspondent)
Dr Mysi Patil 
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