AA Edit | Hasn’t Cong learnt anything? Must pick Karnataka CM quickly

One of the first promises assumed to be made by all parties is that if they win a mandate, they will form a popular government and it would start working as quickly as possible. The Congress party is seemingly not learning its lessons from the past and messing it all over again. Within 48 hours of winning an extraordinary popular mandate in Karnataka, the Congress is creating a crisis situation that is not without precedents.

Earlier, after winning a clear mandate in the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the Congress party was caught between two different sets of chief ministerial aspirants — and in both cases, chose an old horse over a youngster. Earlier, in Punjab too, though not after winning the mandate but at the fag end of the term, it allowed two sets of internal sections within the party hold the entire party hierarchy and its halo to ransom.

There could have been many ways to settle a battle between a Capt. Amarinder Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu, or Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot, or Kamal Nath and Jyotiraditya Scindia. It could have been youth over age, or quite simply the popular view of the state legislators, or to choose one who could have led a good government for the party and ensure a win in the next polls.

The Congress got it wrong in Punjab. It got it wrong in MP. It is seemingly getting it wrong in Rajasthan, where the two contenders are on an irreconcilable path with no easy or happy choices for the party to make.

Much earlier, the party got it terribly wrong in the united Andhra Pradesh when Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy died and his son Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy demanded the throne. But these are old wounds.

The formula of power change after half the term has reportedly failed in Chhattisgarh, and also perhaps Rajasthan. It will be viewed with suspicion, because regional leaders are aware that the clout of the mythical Congress high command is not as strong de facto, as it is projected by all leaders who say the magical phrase out of habit — the high command will decide.

The Congress must stop thinking it can enforce a whimsical choice and be acceptable — it worked during the Indira Gandhi era, and it can work currently for the BJP under PM Narendra Modi — but Mr Mallikarjun Kharge-led Congress can hardly demand or expect such clout, nor do the Gandhis have the same election winning record.

Karnataka is fresh from the polls. The win was hard fought and tough. It came at a price where two equally worthy contenders, both of whom contributed a lot for the win, are reportedly keen on becoming the Chief Minister. The party can claim to respect the view of the MLAs, and if they have chosen Siddaramaiah, then let it be so. Or it can look at the future, and name D.K. Shivakumar as the Chief Minister and be prepared for all the consequences.

But don’t drag the matter. Give Karnataka people the CM they deserve and have voted for.