BJP Govt likely to be sworn in on May 29

Bangalore, May 26 (UNI) The new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka is likely to be sworn in on May 29 after the Election Commission notifies the formation of the 13th Karnataka assembly.

Talking to newsmen here, BJP General Secretary Anantkumar said the party was holding discussions with four of the six Independent candidates to secure a simple majority as the party ended up three seats short of gaining a simple majority of 113 in the 224-member house.

''We will possibly form the government on May 29 when the Election Commission submits its final report on the conduct of the recent Karnataka Assembly elections,'' he said when reporters contacted him just before the meeting of the newly elected BJP legislators at the residence of Chief Ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa in the city.

Party sources told UNI that three of Independents had already pledged their support to the BJP and help it form the new government. They were Gulihutti Shekhar (Hosadurga), D Sudhakar (Hiriyur) and Shivaraj Tangadagi (Kanakagiri).

He said once the Legislature party formally elects Mr Yedyurappa as its leader, the party leaders would meet Governor Rameshwar Thakur around 1730 hrs to stake claim to form the next government, he said.

BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu also confirmed that some Independents had extended their support to the party. ''We will reveal their names at an appropriate time,'' he said.

UNI Team VK RL AS1641