With the release of the Lok Ayukta report, the fate of chief minister BS Yeddyurappa hangs in balance. In the streets of Shimoga, talks are doing the rounds of the jinx attached to chief ministers hailing from that district.
Although the district boasts of contributing the most number of candidates for the chief minister’s gaddi, none of them have completed five years in office.
Karnataka has had four chief ministers elected from Shimoga district: Kadidal Manjappa, S Bangarappa, JH Patel and now Yeddyurappa. By looking at the present state of affairs, it is more likely that history might repeat itself.
Kadidal Manjappa, hailing from Thirthahalli taluk of Shimoga, took oath as the first chief minister of the district on August 9, 1956. But he had to resign on October 31, 1956, after spending only two months in office.
The post came to S Bangarappa of Soraba taluk, when the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi sacked Virendra Patil. Bangarappa took his oath on October 17, 1990, but had to resign within two years for political reasons.
In fact, Bangarappa’s administration style did not go well with the then prime minister PV Narasimha Rao and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Sitaram Kesari, which ultimately led to his resignation on November 19, 1992.
JH Patel, who hails from Channagiri taluk of Shimoga, took oath on May 31, 1996, and ruled the state for more than three years until he quit office on October 7, 1999.
The district of Shimoga had to wait for eight long years to give rise to a new chief minister. In 2007, Yeddyurappa was elected from Shikaripura constituency and became the chief minister under the BJP-JDS coalition rule. However, the jinx hit again, with Yeddyurappa losing the seat in just two days after he took oath on November 12, 2007.
Even though Yeddyurappa returned to power and was sworn in again on May 30, 2008, his three years of reign have been one roller-coaster ride, with his which has constantly posed threats to his throne.
