The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had initially indicated it would not rush to stake claim to form the new government in Karnataka, but it now seems Thursday is going to be a day of major developments.
The saffron party, reports say, has drawn up plans to approach the Raj Bhavan either Thursday or Friday to press its claim.
According to an Indian Express report, BS Yeddyurappa is likely to convene a meeting of party MLAs on Thursday before they approach Governor Vajubhai Vala.
“Things will be on fast-forward in Bengaluru on Thursday,” The Indian Express quoted party sources, as saying.
"I am waiting for our party's Parliamentary Board decision that Shah will convey for our next course of action," Yeddyurappa told reporters on Wednesday, a day after the 14-month-old JD-S-Congress coalition government fell.
He added: "If our high command permits, we will hold the legislative party meeting to elect the leader in the presence of central observer and party's state in-charge Muralidhar Rao."
The 75-year-old leader of the politically dominant Lingayat community and the BJP's first Chief Minister in south India has headed the state thrice - first in November 2007 for a week after the Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) withdraw support to his party, from May 2008 to July 2011 and for three days in May 2018.
"If all goes well, we will meet the Governor (Vajubhai Vala) at Raj Bhavan to stake claim and seek consent to take oath and form the government," he said.
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16:00 | BJP unwilling to form minority government in Karnataka
The Bharatiya Janata Party will not stake claim to form a new government in Karnataka till the Speaker takes a decision on the 16 rebel legislators who brought down the coalition government of the Congress and HD Kumaraswamy, news agency IANS reported, quoting party spokesman G Madhusudan.
In such a situation, the state might go under President's Rule, he said.
"If the Speaker takes longer time to accept or reject the resignations of the rebels, the Governor (Vajubhai Vala) may recommend President's rule in the state, as we will not like to stake claim to power in such a situation," IANS quoted G Madhusudan as saying.
14:00 | No one can give stable govt in present circumstances, says Kumaraswamy
Karnataka caretaker Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has said that no one can give a stable government in the state in the present political
scene after the fall of his ministry two days ago.
Kumaraswamy said the resignations by the rebel MLAs of the Congress-JDS coalition had pushed the state towards by-elections.
"Whether you focus on the developmental activities or the by-elections at 20 to 25 places, an atmosphere created by theBJP? We cannot assume that the government will remain stableeven after the elections," Kumaraswamy told reporters.
12:30 | Satyamev Jayate, says Siddaramaiah
12:10 | A meeting between caretaker Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy, concludes. Congress MLA Soumya Reddy was also present
11:35 | Congress moves disqualification petition against MLA Srimant Patil, who did not turn up for the floor test, citing ill health
10.40 | Karnataka BJP leaders finally meet Home Minister and party chief Amit Shah
10:30 | And some more drama...
10:00 | The rigmarole has just started. BJP leaders wait to meet Amit Shah
CASE FILE
The BJP has 105 legislators and support of 2 Independents, which will be a majority if the 225-member Assembly's strength is reduced to 210 - with action against 15 rebel Congress and JD-S lawmakers who resigned and face disqualification, as the new halfway mark will be 106.
As Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar is yet to accept or reject the resignations of the rebels or disqualify them, the BJP will be able to win the trust vote if they stay away from the House.
In the floor test on Tuesday, the JD-S-Congress coalition failed to win the confidence motion by 6 votes as they could muster only 99 against 105 of the BJP in a house of 204, excluding the Speaker and in the absence of 20 legislators - including 14 of the Congress, 3 of the JD-S, 2 Independents and one of the BSP.
