Dear Mr. Yeddyurappa,

Congratulations. After all you deserved to come back as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. The JD(S) had betrayed you after enjoying the fruits of your solid support for twenty months. They denied you your legitimate right and opportunity to head the State Government. It is all history now.

The well-informed people of Karnataka has shown H D Deve Gowda his well-deserved place

Of course, don't forget! The people have not given you an absolute mandate. You have fallen short of the magic number. In your over-enthusiasm, born out of victory, you are likely to overlook this important aspect.

Celebrate your victory. But, you have no reason to be overwhelmed with joy. Your problems have just begun. Pre-election promises have to be kept. For this, the first thing you have to try is to keep your flock together. This is a herculean task, as they come from different regions, from different groups and with different hopes. You have not only new faces, but migrants from other parties as well. They have not only given you the status of the largest party, but also challenges.

In your electoral orations, you had promised that you would strive to provide a "role-model" administration that would help spread BJP's influence in other states of south India. Wonderful. You had also said that you would give a clean and transparent government.

However, your initial, pre-formation actions do not point at this direction. It was disturbing to read that when you were holding talks with five independents 'at a posh hotel', mine owners Janardhan Reddy and Karunakar Reddy were present. Mr. Reddy also accompanied the independents to the Raj Bhavan.

Somewhere, there seems to be a disharmonious note. What do mine owners have at a legislators' meet? No doubt, the independents would expect their pound of flesh. They might continue this strategy forever!

Little doubt. The electorate are intelligent. Since they felt you were ditched by the JD(S), they have given you a psychological and political boost. You should try to live equal to their expectations. Please do not waste this golden opportunity. Remember, people who voted you to power are watching your actions.

Administering a State is much more than celebrating a victory. I wish you all the best.

H Ramakrishnan