Karnataka transition smooth but wasn’t easy, BSY still our tallest leader: BJP’s Malavika Avinash

Karnataka BJP spokesperson Malavika Avinash said the transition was smooth but not easy as BS Yediyurappa is still the tallest leader in the state.

Basavaraj Bommai, home minister in BS Yediyurappa's Cabinet, has been picked by the BJP to succeed him as Karnataka’s Chief Minister. India Today TV Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai spoke to Karnataka BJP spokesperson Malavika Avinash who said the transition was smooth but not easy, adding that BS Yediyurappa is still the tallest BJP leader in the state. Excerpts from the interview:Q: It seems to be a relatively smooth transition. Will I be right in saying that continuity is the order of the day? You have all played safe. A Lingayat leader, close to BSY, continues his legacy. A Lingayat leader replaced by another Lingayat leader. You didn’t want to disrupt your vote bank...I will tend to agree with most of what you’re saying. The exit of our veteran leader BS Yediyurappa had to be smooth and graceful. It has been achieved. Though there was a lot of speculation regarding the next chief minister. For now, everything is fine and all MLAs have agreed to him [Basavaraj Bommai] being their leader. The parliamentary board has also been in continuous consultation with all leaders. He’s a qualified engineer, he’s had a successful business of his own, and he’s been a successful minister and a gentleman. He’s a man of immense knowledge on water issues of Karnataka.Q: You used the words ‘for now’. Is he only the bridge between BS Yediyurappa and the next generation? Or is he the next generation face? Will he take you to the next election? Because he’s not a mass leader like BS Yediyurappa...I think all of this is for analysts like you. The transition has been smooth but it wasn’t easy. Because BS Yediyurappa is indeed the tallest leader we have. We look forward to good governance in the next two years and the election in 2023. That’s about it. I don’t want to read too much into what I said.Q: Basavaraj Bommai is taking charge when there are floods in Karnataka, there is dissidence within the party... Can he hold the Karnataka BJP together? Or will he be like his father—a short-term chief minister?The legislature party has endorsed the decision taken by leaders. It’s a testimony to the fact that Basavaraj Bommai is acceptable to all. There is no question of bickering after this. Now it’s for the government to administer and the BJP looks forward to the election.