Bangalore: After winning a crucial Assembly by-poll, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seems to have consolidated his position and strengthened his hold on the party. But, everything is not hunky dory. A section within the Congress is still opposed to him. However, one person stands out. He is acceptable to all factions and enjoys the full confidence of the chief minister.
The 65 years old TB Jayachandra, Law, Parliamentary Affairs, Justice, Human Rights, Animal Husbandry and Muzroi minister has now emerged as the main trouble shooter of the Congress government in Karnataka. Soft spoken and very affable Jayachandra is known as Pranab Mukherjee of the Karnataka Congress. Whenever there is a crisis, the chief minister looks at him.
During the Assembly sessions, Jayachandra single handedly defends the government and answers questions and takes on the opposition on almost every issue. Even in the Cabinet meetings, his opinion is sought on almost everything. He briefs the media and knows how to convince even the bitter critics of the government. He is a member of more than twenty cabinet sub-committees and chairs half of them.
A senior Congress MLA says that Jayachandra is the unifying force within the Congress. He does not belong to any factions, does not encourage dissidents and tries to be neutral. Even the opposition parties like amiable nature.
Speaking to CNN-IBN Jayachandra said "I have been with the Congress for almost 40 years. Out of that I have been an MLA for 36 years. I am loyal to the Congress and the Gandhi family. I never speak against the party, even if I am not happy with certain things. In politics, one has to accept the things as they come".
Jayachandra is a six time MLA who won his first election in 1978 at the age of 29. He was twice deputy leader of the opposition in the state assembly. In the S M Krishna government, he held important portfolios like agriculture, horticulture, food and civil supplies.
During the height of the Cauvery battle with Jayalalithaa in 2002, SM Krishna had sent Jayachandra to New Delhi as Karnataka government's special representative to handle the tricky situation. A lawyer by education, Jayachandra had practiced at the Karnataka High Court.
Jayachandra is from the second largest caste in Karnataka, the Vokkaligas. He has taken on the JDS led by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and saved the Congress in old Mysore region, the stronghold of the Gowdas.
When the Congress returned to power in 2013 Assembly elections, Jayachandra was also in the race for the post of the chief minister. When Sonia Gandhi chose Siddaramaiah as chief minister, Jayachandra accepted the portfolios given to him without a murmur.
A man of few words, he tried to field his son Santhosh in the recent Lok Sabha election from Tumkur. But the party gave ticket to an 'outsider'. A loyal party man, Jayachandra worked for that candidate and ensured his victory by over 70,000 votes. He has also created a record by winning all three Lok Sabha seats falling under his Tumkur district for the Congress.
The Vokkaligas are now demanding that they should at least get the post of Deputy Chief Minister and proposing the name of Jayachandra. When contacted, Jayachandra said "I don't lobby for anything. I am one of the senior most ministers and Congress leaders. I must get what I deserve. I don't discuss these issues in the public. Party chief Sonia Gandhi will take the right decision".
Is he interested in the post of chief minister? A smiling Jayachandra said, "Siddaramaiah is my good friend. He is our leader. Currently, there is no vacancy."
According to Congress insiders, Jayachandra and the KPCC chief Dr G Parameshwar are not on good terms. Both are from the same Tumkur district and the local politics is behind their rivalry. However both maintain silence over the issue and refuse to comment.
The bigger question is - Will the ace trouble shooter Jayachandra achieve more or continue to play the role of a loyal Congress leader? According to party sources in New Delhi, the high command is likely to honour him with bigger and better roles in the near future.
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