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2019 Karnataka Op Lotus: Pralhad Joshi had ensured a smooth sail for the party during the 2019 Karnataka political crisis, which brought BJP to power in the state
Pralhad Joshi. (X)
As Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the Education Minister amid raging Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) stir over NEET paper leak, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) picked Pralhad Joshi as his replacement. Joshi was given additional charge of the Education Ministry besides his role as Consumer Affairs Minister.
The BJP’s troubleshooter had ensured a smooth sail for the party during the 2019 Karnataka political crisis too. What was it?
THE 2019 KARNATAKA POLITICAL CRISIS
The crisis began in July 2019 when 16 MLAs — 13 Congress MLAs and 3 JD(S) MLAs — from the ruling INC-JD(S) coalition abruptly resigned from the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Additionally, two independent lawmakers withdrew their support from the government. The Congress-JD(S) leadership tried to defuse the internal power struggle by having all 21 sitting ministers resign to offer cabinet posts to the rebels. However, the rebels refused to return.
The opposition alliance accused the BJP of orchestrating a coup—dubbed “Operation Lotus”—alleging that the BJP used immense money power, central agencies, and promises of ministerial portfolios to poach their lawmakers.
HOW DID IT BRING BJP TO POWER?
The mass resignations effectively reduced the ruling coalition to a minority in the 224-member house. On July 23, 2019, Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy faced a mandatory floor test. The confidence motion was defeated with 99 votes in favour and 105 against, causing the coalition government to fall.
Three days later, on July 26, 2019, the BJP’s state stalwart B. S. Yediyurappa took the oath as Chief Minister for the fourth time.
The 16 rebel MLAs were initially disqualified by the Speaker under the anti-defection law. However, they later officially defected and joined the BJP. In the December 2019 assembly by-elections, the BJP won 12 out of 15 contested seats, successfully securing a full independent majority of 117 seats to stabilize their government.
Today, I assumed charge as the Union Minister for Education.I am grateful to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji for placing his faith in me and entrusting me with this responsibility. I accept it with humility and a deep sense of duty.
Today, the Government of India’s Central Education… pic.twitter.com/Ge2ulvf3L8
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) July 26, 2026
HOW DID PRALHAD JOSHI HELP?
During the 2019 political crisis in Karnataka, Joshi worked behind the scenes as a central strategist and coordinator for the BJP.
As a trusted leader close to the central BJP leadership, Joshi served as the primary bridge between the state unit in Karnataka and the party high command in New Delhi. He ensured that the local operation aligned perfectly with national party strategies.
He operated quietly from the background to help manage the fallout of the mass resignations of 17 disgruntled Congress and JD(S) MLAs.
The collapse of the coalition peaked shortly after the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, during which Joshi was appointed as the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. His elevation strengthened the BJP’s leverage, creating an atmosphere of inevitability that demoralised the ruling coalition and accelerated the floor-test defeat of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
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