New BJP govt in K'taka to be sworn in tomorrow or on May 30

Bangalore, May 27 (UNI) The new B S Yeddyurappa-led BJP government in Karnataka will be sworn in tomorrow or on May 30.

Talking to newspersons here today, Mr Yeddyurappa indicated that the party had to wait for the revocation of President's Rule in the state and the notification of the 13th Karnataka Assembly.

President Pratibha Patil had recently approved extension of the President's Rule for a further period of six months.

Mr Yeddyurappa, who met Governor Rameshwar Thakur last night along with senior BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu, staked claim to form the new government with a majority of 115 in the 224-member house, including five independents, who had extended support to the party. The five Independents were also paraded before the Governor.

He said the party had initiated dicussions on Ministry formation and the new Ministers would be picked up in consultation with the Central leaders.

Meanwhile, the newly-elected legislators of the Janata Dal(S), which performed dismally at the hustings securing only 28 seats as against 58 it won in 2004, began its meeting to review the poll outcome and also to elect a new leader.

The Congress, which finished second with 80 seats, will hold the meeting of the new legislators here tomorrow to elect the new leader.

Party state in-charge Pritviraj Chauhan was expected to be in the city today.

UNI VK MSP ROY GL SSC1332