Aravind Limbavali looks to become BJP’s DKS

BENGALURU: When reports first emerged in early 2019 that the BJP was close to toppling the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in Karnataka, Mahadevpura legislator and former minister

Aravind Limbavali

was considered the cog in the saffron party’s bid.


It was even speculated that Limbavali, under the Dalit quota, would be elevated to deputy chief minister if BS

Yediyurappa

came to power. His political capital was at its peak.

Then, Limbavali slid spectacularly from grace, thanks to a flurry of political developments. A controversial sex video in which he allegedly featured and which was leaked on social media, hit his prospects the hardest. Indcidentally, a forensics report said the tape is a fake, but the damage had been done by then.

When the video surfaced and when questions about it swirled, the four-time legislator wept in the legislative assemblywhile demanding an independent investigation into the issue. It suggested his stock had hit rock bottom, even as rumours indicated it was a bid from within the party to cut him down to size.

The timing was bad for Limbavali as a no-confidence motion was moved against the coalition government and Yediyurappa was subsequently sworn in as CM. Limbavali was completely sidelined and has been sulking since.

The

Madhya Pradesh

crisis, however, has come as a blessing, as it gives him a chance to revive his career. Limbavali has been entrusted with the task of shepherding the 19 rebel MLAs, who are holed up in a hotel located in his constituency.

Taking a leaf out of Congress troubleshooter DK Shivakumar’s book, Limbavali has not only successfully kept the flock of rebels together, but has also shielded them from a prying media and Congress glare.

The ‘operation’ to get Congress legislators to cross over began on February 20 when Limbavali was summoned to Delhi and given charge to safeguard legislators. The first batch of four rebel Congress MLAs arrived in Bengaluru on March 4. That figure went up to 19 by March 9. “Limbavali was in constant touch with central leaders on a daily basis,” said a senior functionary, revealing only Yediyurappa was in the loop locally.

Shivakumar too had parked legislators from Gujarat during Rajya Sabha elections, and later JD(S)- Congress MLAs, in 2018, in Bengaluru Rural — which is represented by his brother

DK Suresh

in the Lok Sabha.

“Considering his experience and his role in bringing the BJP to power, Limbavali was handpicked by the party leadership to safeguard the MLAs. He is using it to his advantage to emerge as BJP’s troubleshooter, a tag Shivakumar had earned in Congress,” a Limbavali aide said.

If the operation is successful, Limbavali is hoping to be rewarded with a prominent berth in Yediyurappa’s cabinet when it is expanded, perhaps in April.