Yeddy awaits nod as Karnataka BJP leaders land in Delhi for consultation

Senior BJP leaders from Karnataka landed in the national capital New Delhi on Wednesday for working out a strategy with party president Amit Shah and working president JP Nadda in connection with the formation of the next government in the state.

Arvind Limbavali, part of the state unit’s delegation in the national capital said, “We are here to take the guidance of the central leadership, for the formation of the new government.”

He added, “You know the situation of Karnataka. The new government has to come. The earlier government has lost the majority and they have given the resignation. We are meeting the BJP leaders. We will take their advice on how to go further. Regarding that, our delegation is here.”

Answering a question on rebel MLAs BJP leader JC Madhuswamy said, “They (rebel MLAs) waited for 14 months to settle their issues. Those in power weren’t gracious enough to consider their requests. Their bond is spoilt. No question of them going back to their original parties. We have confidence and we’re hopeful that we’ll form the government.”

Back in Bengaluru, party leader BS Yeddyurappa said he was awaiting instructions from his party central leadership on staking claim to form an alternative government in the state.

The 14-month old Congress-JDS coalition government headed by H D Kumaraswamy collapsed on Tuesday after losing the vote of confidence in the assembly in a climax to a three-week-long intense power struggle.

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“I’m awaiting instructions from Delhi. I can call a legislature party meeting any time and go to Raj Bhavan (to stake claim). I’m waiting for it,” Yeddyurappa told reporters after meeting RSS leaders at its state headquarters “Keshava Krupa” here.

Noting that it was because of the blessings and cooperation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, he has grown from taluk to state level to become Chief Minister, he said, “I have come here to take blessings from elders of Sangh Parivar before taking next step.”

Soon after the JDS-Congress government lost the vote of confidence in the assembly, Yeddyurappa on Tuesday had said he will meet the governor after consulting the party central leaders.

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He had also written to BJP national president Amit Shah last night. “I am very much elated and pleased to disclose to you that we have defeated the confidence motion moved by the Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy paving the way for the formation of our party government in Karnataka,” Yeddyurappa’s letter to Shah read.

Senior BJP legislator JC Madhuswamy said, “Shah has to instruct us to call a legislature party meeting in the presence of an observer to elect the leader.”

He said, “Things have to go democratically as ours is a national party, so we are waiting for instructions from them after that appointment with Governor will be sought.”

Fate of rebel MLAs needs to be finalised

Also, the fate of 17 rebel MLAs, who are from the Congress-JD(S) coalition, hangs in balance with the state assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar yet to take a call on either their resignations on the two parties’ plea for their disqualification.

BJP sources said the party will be more sure of its next move after Speaker Ramesh takes a decision or the Supreme Court, which is also hearing a case related to the matter, brings a legal closure to the issue. The party’s central leadership is weighing its options, they said.

There is also a view that the BJP should go for fresh assembly polls in the state, seeking a clear majority but many leaders feel that the party should go ahead and stake claim to form the government.

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The decision Kumar, who was elected as a Congress candidate, takes can have a bearing on the contours of the next government.

As long as the rebel MLAs remain members of the assembly, the BJP will not have a clear majority and some of its leaders apprehend that rushing to form the next government in such a scenario will not be wise.

“We will still wait and watch. What is the hurry?” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)