Karnataka: Four from Congress may resign, but BJP’s dream still a far cry
Bengaluru, Jan 15: The drama in Karnataka will continue in Karnataka for a couple of days more. The resignation of two independent MLAs gave a minor jolt to the JD(S)-Congress coalition, but for the BJP to install its government the task ahead is huge.
In
the
224
member
assembly,
the
Congress
has
80
MLAs
and
the
JD(S),
37.
One
BSP
MLA
and
two
independents
also
constituted
the
coalition.
The
BJP,
on
the
other
hand,
has
104
MLAs.
In
order
to
bring
the
government
down,
at
least
14
MLAs
will
need
to
resign
to
bring
the
house
strength
down
to
ensure
that
the
BJP
forms
the
government.
Sources
say
that
the
BJP
central
and
state
leadership
are
not
on
the
same
page
on
this
issue.
The Central leadership wants the BJP to prepare for the 2019 leadership. However, in the state level, BS Yeddyurappa would want his government installed before fighting the 2019 elections.
Karnataka coalition shaky: Two independents withdraw support
However, going by the numbers, it appears to be a very difficult task for the BJP. Sources tell OneIndia that four disgruntled Congress MLAs are likely to resign by tomorrow. However one of the independent MLAs who quit today is likely to return. This means that the BJP would need to enforce the resignation of at least 11 more MLAs in order to form the government.
Following the resignations, Kumaraswamy said that he is as relaxed as ever. The Congress JD(S) has indicated that if the BJP tries to ruffle its feathers, then they will poach five from the saffron party. The BJP it may be recalled had moved its MLAs to a resort in Gurgaon.
Karnataka: CM Kumaraswamy 'relaxed' as 2 exits jolt Congress-JD(S) coalition
Yeddyurappa
had
said
that
the
intention
behind
the
move
was
to
avoid
poaching
by
the
Congress
and
JD(S).
However,
others
point
out
that
the
MLAs
were
summoned
for
a
meeting
with
Central
leadership
to
prepare
for
the
polls.
While
it
was
said
that
the
BJP
legislators
from
Karnataka
would
meet
with
Amit
Shah,
the
meeting
never
took
place.
When
asked
if
the
meeting
would
take
place
tomorrow,
sources
said
that
it
was
highly
unlikely.
The
legislators
are
expected
to
return
by
Thursday.
On the other hand, Congress strongman, D K Shivakumar would make a final attempt to pacify the five Congress MLAs believed to be in Mumbai. Shivakumar would be on an official visit and would attend a programme at Aurangabad before which he is likely to meet the MLAs.
The disgruntled MLAs have been sulking after being left out of the Cabinet. A source said that Shivakumar would try and pacify them and if nothing works out then he would use a couple of tricks that he has up his sleeve. The source said that four Congress ministers have been told to step down in case the five MLAs are not pacified. However, it is not clear if the five MLAs would bite the bait. Four of them are unlikely to stay on in the Congress and could resign if talks with Shivakumar fail.
Even if the four resign, then the road ahead is tough for the BJP as the numbers are not in its favour. The BJP, on the other hand, is hoping that the resignations continue over the next couple of days. This would make the government shaky and then a recommendation could be made to keep the House under suspended animation until the 2019 Lok Sabha elections are over.