And just like that, they’re “friends” again. Karnataka Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj and embattled Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa were all about PDA (public display of affection), at a public function in Karnataka. Even as behind the scenes, the hectic peace-brokering continues.

With Bhardwaj admitting that Yedyurappa did in fact have a “massive majority”, the hugs, handshakes and smiles were on display for all who bothered to see, that the hatchet had been buried. For the moment.

A senior BJP MP from Karnataka told me, it was a triumph for democracy. After all, the ego battle between the two had brought governance to a standstill. I in turn pointed out that governance had been crippled in Karnataka long before the Yeddy-Bhardwaj ego battle had even begun. Like the Bellary brothers for instance, who had made life hell for Yeddy, or the many corruption allgations, or even the rebel ranks within the BJP, that had almost succeeded in toppling the first ever BJP government in south India. The BJP’s problems were, after all, more from within than from without. My MP friend responded, saying, “It is a democracy and in a democracy, one must never rule out the chances of a person’s change of heart.” Obviously referring to the change of heart by the 11 rebel BJP MLAs, who have returned to the BJP’s fold in Karnataka, reposing their faith in Yeddyurappa’s Chief Ministership. Fair enough, but somehow, I don’t get the sense that the basic underlying problems within the BJP in Karnataka have been resolved. If anything, they’ve been pacified for the moment, and will remain quiet till the next opportune moment presents itself. Yeddyurappa, and the party leadership’s dogged belief in his right to the Chief Ministership of Karnataka, are convenient and ample cash cow.

The sticking point however continues to be the Speaker, K G Bopaiah, who, according to the Supreme Court ruling, acted in haste, improperly disqualifying the 16 rebel BJP and independent MPs. I asked the BJP MP whether a change in the Speaker was “within the realm of possibility”, as a peace offering to the Governor, and he was willing to only go as far as to say that “corrective measures would be warranted”. Whether that means that Speaker K G Bopaiah will be shown the door or not, depends on how the BJP stands up to the Governor when push comes to shove.

Cloak-and-dagger politics

Governor Bhardwaj has clearly taken the first step in patching things up with Yeddyurappa in Karnataka, doing away with the prospect of another floor test in the next Assembly session, by publicly saying Yeddyurappa has a “massive majority”. If the BJP does not respond in kind, with action against Speaker Bopaiah as its peace offering, the situation could so easily go back to square one. And yet again, it will be the voters of Karnataka, who will be the losers. And this time, don’t be surprised if the voters take it personally.