Kumaraswamy collapses following withdrawal of support by BJP

Bangalore, Oct 7 (UNI) The saga of the perilously teetering 20-month-old Janata-Dal(S)-Bharatiya Janata Party Government in Karnataka ended this afternoon following withdrawal of support by the BJP.

State BJP leaders led by state unit chief Sadananda Gowda and B S Yediyurappa met Governor Rameshwar Thakur and demanded dismissal of the H D Kumaraswamy government after submitting a formal letter of withdrawal of support.

The hectic political developments during the day witnessed a huge rally by the party in the city and several other protest rallies organised by BJP sympathisers and party workers in different parts of the state. They raised slogans against the JD(S) leaders and burnt effigies of H D Devegowda and his son Kumaraswamy.

Earlier in the day, the legislature wings of both JD(S) and BJP took stock of the latest developments separately. Both the parties decided to embark on awareness campaign in the coming days to inform the people about the reasons behind the decisions. Both the parties announced their willingness to go in for an immediate mid-term poll.

Mr Kumaraswamy alleged that there was a lobby within the BJP that succeeded in its manipulative politics to prevent Mr Yediyurappa from becoming the Chief Minister. His charges were countered by Mr Yediyurappa who felt it was an attempt to divide the unity among the BJP leaders.

Mr Devegowda's desire to ensure continuance of his son as the Chief Minister led to withdrawal of support, he added.

The Chief Minister said he would meet the Governor tomorrow and appeal to him to provide him an opportunity to prove his strength in the Assembly which had been convened on October 18.

Congress, which had adopted a 'wait and watch' approach sprung into action soon after the BJP leaders met the Governor and handed over a letter to the Governor requesting for an opportunity to form the next government. The party in charge Prithviraj Chauhan was expected to arrive in the city tonight to chalk out future strategy for the party.

(Ed: Pick up from earlier series) UNI