BJP to install its first government in South?

Bangalore, Nov 8: Deepavali, the festival of lights, brought a priceless gift to Bharatiya Janata Party with the party installing its first ever government in Karnataka in South India in coalition with Janata Dal (Secular).

With the centre's decision to revoke the President's Rule imposed on the state for a month, the hazy and uncertainty situation prevailing over the state's political arena is disappearing now.

The President's Rule was imposed on October 9 following withdrawal of support by BJP to its coalition partner JD(S) due to failure of transfer of power as scheduled.

However, in a sudden turn of events, the JD(S) made a turnaround and chose to support BJP to form the government in its bid to prevent Congress from poaching its legislators. Though the party announced the support was unconditional, the subsequent letter sent by party supremo H D Deve Gowda to BJP national President Rajnath Singh requesting him to sign for a 12 point agreement had kept everyone on tenterhooks.

Mr Deve Gowda had, among other points, stressed that his son and former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy should be consulted on all important issues and the state Assembly should be dissolved in case there was a snap polls to Lok Sabha. Mr Kumaraswamy's clarification that there was no rigid condition had, however, diluted the situation.

While the BJP workers rejoiced the centre's decision, the Congress iterated its demand for dissolution of the Assembly as the BJP led coalition was 'doubtful' of providing a stable government in the state.

UNI