Political Instability

Introduction

Political instability has been a defining characteristic of Karnataka’s political landscape. While the state has emerged as an economic and technological powerhouse, its political theater has often been characterized by fractured mandates, shifting alliances, and frequent changes in leadership. Since independence, only three Chief Ministers—S. Nijalingappa, D. Devaraj Urs, and Siddaramaiah—have managed to complete a full five-year term.

This instability is not just a matter of political maneuvering; it has deep roots in the state’s social fabric, caste dynamics, and regional disparities. Understanding Karnataka’s political instability requires examining the structural loopholes that allow for defection, the historical precedents of coalition governments, and the evolving strategies of political parties aiming to secure power at any cost.

Constitutional Provisions & Legal Framework

The core legal framework intended to prevent political instability caused by party-hopping is the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, commonly known as the Anti-Defection Law.Added by the 52nd Amendment in 1985, it aims to deter legislators from defecting by prescribing disqualification.

Key Legal Challenges

1. Resignation vs. Disqualification:The central constitutional debate in Karnataka’s recent crises revolves around whether a legislator’s resignation should supersede a pending disqualification proceeding.If a member resigns, they can potentially bypass the anti-defection law and contest a by-election.
2. Role of the Speaker: The Tenth Schedule vests the power to decide on disqualification with the Speaker of the House. The partisan nature of this role has frequently led to judicial intervention, with courts being asked to direct Speakers to act impartially and expeditiously.
3. Judicial Review:While the Tenth Schedule bars court jurisdiction, the Supreme Court has established that the Speaker’s final decision is subject to judicial review. During the 2019 crisis, the Supreme Court had to balance a legislator’s right to resign with the need to prevent the circumvention of anti-defection measures.

Historical Context & Data

Volatility has long been a hallmark of Karnataka politics, with the state experiencing President’s Rule six times.

• The 1979 Crisis:Chief Minister Devaraj Urs, who had led the Congress (I) in the state, faced a rebellion after a rift with Indira Gandhi. Defections led to a floor test, which Urs lost, resulting in his replacement by Gundu Rao. This is often cited as the first major instance of poaching bringing down a government in the state.
• The 1983 Coalition & “Resort Politics”:The first coalition government, led by Ramakrishna Hegde (Janata Party), faced early challenges.It was during this era that Karnataka witnessed the beginnings of “resort politics,” a strategy later used frequently to sequester MLAs and prevent poaching.

Chief Ministerial Tenure Data

A clear indicator of instability is the short average tenure of Chief Ministers.

Chief Minister	Party	Tenure Length	Note
S. Nijalingappa	Congress	Full Term (1962-1968)	One of three to complete a full term.
D. Devaraj Urs	Congress	Full Term (1972-1977)	Architect of social justice reforms.
Siddaramaiah	Congress	Full Term (2013-2018)	The only CM since 1977 to complete a full term.
H. D. Kumaraswamy	JD(S)	14 Months (2018-2019)	Led a fragile coalition.
B. S. Yediyurappa	BJP	6 Days (2018)	Resigned before a trust vote.

Key Concepts and Strategies

“Operation Kamala”

A significant phenomenon in Karnataka’s political lexicon is “Operation Kamala” (Kamala translating to Lotus, the BJP’s symbol).Coined in 2008, it refers to a strategy used by the BJP to secure a working majority when it falls short of numbers in the assembly.

The strategy involves inducing legislators from opposition parties (primarily the INC and JD(S)) to resign from their legislative assembly seats. By resigning, these MLAs bring down the total strength of the house, thereby lowering the majority mark required for the BJP to prove its strength on the floor. The resigning MLAs are often subsequently fielded as BJP candidates in the resulting by-elections.

The Role of Defections and Coalition Politics

When mandates are fractured, coalition governments (like the Congress-JD(S) alliance in 2018) are formed. These alliances are often inherently unstable due to ideological differences and power struggles. The vulnerability of these coalitions makes them prime targets for strategic defections, leading to recurrent crises.

Case Study: The 2019 Political Crisis

The 2019 Karnataka political crisis

serves as a textbook example of modern political instability in the state.

1. The Trigger:Following the 2018 assembly elections, the BJP emerged as the single largest party (104 seats) but fell short of a majority.The INC (80 seats) and JD(S) (37 seats) formed a post-poll alliance to form the government.
2. The Resignations:In July 2019, 14 INC and 3 JD(S) legislators submitted their resignations, fleeing to Mumbai to avoid contact with their party leadership.
3. The Fall:The resignations reduced the strength of the ruling coalition. The Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy, eventually lost a trust vote on July 23, 2019, securing only 99 votes against the BJP’s 105.
4. The Aftermath: B.S. Yediyurappa (BJP) was sworn in as Chief Minister.The Speaker disqualified the rebel MLAs, but many subsequently won back their seats in by-elections as BJP candidates.