The defeat will pinch the Saffron party for long as the sole state that gave it an entry into Southern India, has now rejected it.
But the party has none but itself to blame for the mess in the last five years.
Here are the few reasons why the Karnataka's people voted against the BJP:
1. Anti-Christian violence including attack on Churches and priests in 2008 that continued even later
2. Bellary brothers took corruption to a new level
3. Sri Ram Sene thrashed women, couples publicly
4. Right-wing Hindutva outfits had free run for the last 5 years
5. Inter-religious couples, Muslims also faced the ire
You can add to it INCUMBENCY and YEDDY factor.
In Karnataka, which prided on its culture, BJP had allowed organisations like Ram Sene, Bajrang Dal and similar other groups, a free run. The state machinery rarely acted against them. As Bangalore became Bengaluru, the last five years also saw state getting defamed.
For coastal Karnataka (around Mangalore) where education levels are high, the activities of RSS lumpens had brought shame. It was no longer a modern state. The image of educated Kannadiga had changed to an uncouth, bigoted person.
Women had seen enough of rioting and moral policing. From Valentine's Day to parties in pub, nothing was beyond the Saffron reach. Perhaps, this was enough. Karnataka's pride was wounded. Yeddyurappa's exit also cost BJP dearly.
But it was a decisive vote against BJP. In 65 years after independence, Karnataka had never seen such a phase of communal riots and disharmony that it went through after BJP came to power in 2008. Now Congress has got the mandate, a clear majority in 2013 polls.
There will be expectations. The BJP should reflect on its wrongdoings. For the moment, its' celebration time for Congress though they can't be complacent. BJP is out of South India despite Narendra Modi campaigning here. Let's see what strategy they have for future as General Elections are not far away now.
