The bitter political slugfest of the last week between Chief Minister  H D Kumaraswamy and BJP stalwart B S Yeddyurappa has  re-aligned state politics. The two leaders who have been locked in verbal duels , leading to provocative statements , protests and counter protests are  firm in their stance against each other.

While the Chief miister’s strong comments against B S Yeddyurappa provoked his supporters to mob his house , the counter complaints by BJP leaders have added fuel to the fire. As the communities that these leaders belong to are rallying  behind them.

Whilee the BJP sought refuge in Raj Bhavan  and complained to the Governor over his statement calling people to “revolt” against the BJP. While H D Kumaraswamy alleged BJP was trying to “destabilise” his government, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said he would reply to the complaint if the Governor seeks his response.

Defending his appeal, Kumaraswamy denied charges that he had given a call for violence like former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa did several times. The BJP which has called HDK’s statement “seditious” and asked the Governor to initiate action against him. Kumaraswamy is confident that his party and especially the Vokkaliga community will rally behind him.

Kumaraswamy in his defence hassaid he used the word revolt to suggest a protest. “Staging a protest is very well accepted in a democratic set up,” he said.

B S Yeddyurappa meanwhile is hoping that the war of words will help him consolidate his leadership in the state unit. The Lingayat community which was split between the Congress and the BJP in the last state polls , is rallying behind Yeddyurappa as they see the provocative statement of H D Kumarswamy as an attack on their community.

Even in midst of the controversy , the rigidity which has crept into the two communities promises to directly/indirectly benefit both the leaders. The Congress which is facing a challenge of a different kind , with rebellion in its ranks threatening to bring down the government is watching from the sidelines. The consolidation of the two communities between the two leaders poses a tough challenge to the Congress which could end up losing its support base in the two communities.

The warming up of the Gowda family to Congress strong man D K Shivakumar is also being seen as a part of the consolidation.

While the government hopes that th representation given to Governor Vaju Bhai Vala will not go beyond the pressure building tactics , it could add to Kumarswamy’s worries in case th Governor takes cognizance of it. With Lok Sabha elections about 8 months away and the future of the present government uncertain the question is whether this caste conflict threatens to engulf the state.