In all this the Cong stands to benefit. Cong will take KN back to infrastructure collapses in Blr, stir-up Cauvery problem again, use Lingayat-vokkaliga caste politics to cheap end. While Gowda is like any other average politician trying to make a cut and ensuring dynastic rule, he also brings to the BJP his caste votes and a legitimacy critical to building a coalition. It is like 1998 when AIADMK joined hands with BJP (the first of the non-hindutva allies) giving it entry into southern India and ultimately the necessary allies and number of MPs to go past the majority mark in parliament. The BJP has to take a prudent view and let Gowda rule the state so that at national level BJP gets a chance to beat Cong. And also the Ananth Kumar-Yediyurappa factional fluid is never going to allow BJP to do a good job anyway. So why to stir up the pot?- let Kumaraswamy take the blame next time around if he fails. In an age of coalitions BJP has to work hard to win friends and not lose them for short term goals, that is political wisdom. By getting touchy about small things like OCt3rd change over date, BJP is hurting it's long term goal. BJP has to learn from Cong about sleeping with enemy (in 3 states- CPM). Cong is a true master at opportunitic alliances and fooling the electorate. When the main enemy is Cong, BJP should swallow pride and attract new friends especially if Vajpayee is not going to lead them in future.
