Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa on Friday hinted at a political change in the state once the ongoing Lok Sabha elections conclude. The former Chief Minister of the state on Friday suggested that stand taken by 20 ‘disgruntled’ Congress legislators could play a decisive role in determining the continuance of the present JD(S)-Congress alliance in the state.
BS Yeddyurappa says he foresees changes in Karnataka political scene after Lok Sabha pollshttps://t.co/qvsM1A8lB3
— Republic (@republic) May 10, 2019
According to a report, Yeddyurappa anticipates a political change in the state in favor of the BJP. He expressed his confidence while suggesting the tally of his party in the assemble would witness a rise.
He lashed out at the H D Kumaraswamy led state government for its drought management and called it “brain dead.” He blamed the “charged” atmosphere within the coalition as the reason for the Chief Minister to head to a resort.
“State government is brain dead in a way. At a time when people are suffering from drought and are migrating, when there is scarcity of drinking water, Kumaraswamy (Chief Minister) and his father (JDS patriarch H D Deve Gowda) are going to a resort. It shows about charged environment in Congress-JD(S) coalition,” he divulged.
Addressing reporters at Hubballi, the former CM pointed out that all is not well between the Congress and JD(S). He claimed that Kumaraswamy is aware that neither his party will fare well nor his father (Gowda from Tumkur) and son (Nikhil from Mandya) would win in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
He clarified that he is not against the CM visiting a resort to take rest. However, pointing out at the time of his visit, he said, reflects the CM’s displeasure over the political situation and dissidence within his alliance partner Congress.
Soon after his return from a resort in Udupi post-treatment, Kumaraswamy visited a temple and is scheduled to camp at a resort in Kodagu district until May 12.
Yeddyurappa predicted that the outcome of Lok Sabha and assembly bypoll results would make it difficult for the coalition government to continue. Confident of winning Kundgol and Chincholi assembly segments in the bypolls, he added, “Winning this election is important to us, as we currently have 104 MLAs, and win in these two seats will take our tally to 106.”
He also claimed the support of three independent and smaller party legislators, which would take their number tally to 109.
Pointing out the 20 unhappy Congress MLAs who are unwilling to accept Kumaraswamy as their Chief Minister anymore, Yeddyurappa hinted they may take a decision any time in the near future and said, “Let’s wait and see.”
The Karnataka assembly has 224 members, wherein BJP has 104 MLAs, Congress has 77, JD(S) has 37, BSP has 1, one independent (both currently supporting the ruling alliance), one KPJP, and one Speaker. Bypolls for the vacant Chincholi and Kundgol are scheduled on May 19.
Speculations are rife in the political circles about ‘all is not well’ status between the alliance partners while Kumaraswamy opting out of campaigning in Kundgol and Chincholi also raise serious doubts. It is being widely speculated that adverse Lok Sabha results will hit the final nail in the coffin of their alliance in the state. Congress and JD(S) are fighting general elections together after reaching a seat-sharing agreement.
The Chief Minister and JD(S) leaders are also reportedly upset over a few Congress legislators, including ministers, rooting for Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah as the CM once again.
Both Congress and JD(S) have been trying to prove their footing in the state. We had reported earlier about how Congress is desperate to retain Karnataka to stay relevant in the national political scenario.
