A win win proposition?

BJP plans to field Shankar Bidari from Bijapur as he belongs to Lingayat community, which forms a major chunk of the vote bank in the area, say sources

Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari's baton wielding tactics during the recent drama in Vidhan Soudha seems to have won favour with the ruling BJP. According to party insiders, Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa has decided to reward Bidari for his loyalty and make him a BJP candidate in the next assembly elections.

Another reason why the CM has been generous with Bidari is that both belong to the Lingayat community, said a source. Bidari's political debut will obviously be blessed by him. Bijapur has a strong Lingayat vote bank and Bidari, who hails from the neighboring Bagalkot district, is popular in the area.

What gives Bidari an added advantage is that, like Bagali, he too belongs to Panchamasali, a sub-sect of Lingayat community that is in majority in the area. Traditionally, Panchamasali candidates have emerged winners in most elections here.

Nothing personal
"If all goes well, Bidari will be our candidate from one of the constituencies in Bijapur district," said a senior BJP leader. "However, this has nothing to do with his clash with the opposition leaders in the assembly."

Bidari was in the eye of the storm last week when he had entered the assembly hall in uniform during the vote of confidence called by the CM after 16 MLAs pulled out of the government. Bidari was there to maintain law and order at the behest of the Speaker, KG Bopaiah, even as the house witnessed unprecedented pandemonium.

Amid violent protests by the opposition parties, Siddaramaiah, the JD (S) leader, had the infamous squabble with the top cop at the entrance of the house.

Bopaiah had disqualified the BJP MLAs along with five independents under anti-defection law, accusing them of helping the Opposition to destabilise the government. The disqualified MLAs are now fighting a legal battle in the High Court. Bopaiah's move too has been questioned in the case.

By-polls on cards?
With the two-member bench headed by Chief Justice JS Kehar and Justice N Kumar giving a split verdict in the case of the BJP MLAs yesterday, the final order has been posted for tomorrow, after referring to a third judge. While justice Kehar upheld the disqualification, Justice Kumar struck down Bopaiah's ruling. The court will hear the independents' case on November 2.

"If the court upholds the disqualification, by-polls will have to be conducted. In that case, Bidari will replace Bagali," said a source. "Even if the rebels win the case, we have to keep a list of potential candidates for the next elections, and Bidari is one of them."

Bidari, who still has four years of service ahead of his retirement, is expecting a promotion as director general of police in another four months. However, he is reportedly interested in continuing as the commissioner. If that does not happen, he will take voluntary retirement to join politics, sources said.

Bidari was not available for comment. KS Eswarappa, state president of BJP, said it was too early to comment on the possible poll candidates. "We are waiting for the verdict. I hope the rebel MLAs will be disqualified. It is too early to talk about the candidates or the polls," he added.

Famous 5 lingayats

> Manjula > Kumar Gandharva > Jagadish Shettar > Ashok Kheny > Shivraj Patil

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