As the end-game began on Saturday with JD(S) refusing to hand over the baton in the state to the BJP as per the agreement, the 20-month-old HD Kumaraswamy-led coalition government in Karnataka collapsed on Sunday, following formal withdrawal of support by the saffron party.
The decision to pull out of the coalition regime was taken by the BJP Parliamentary Board on Saturday, which met after JD(S) chief H D Deve Gowda made it clear that his party would not transfer power in the state.
Announcing his party?s decision to formally sever ties with JD(S) at the Raj Bhawan in Bangalore, senior leader of the state unit and former deputy chief minister BS Yediyurappa said, ?While handing over the letter of withdrawal of support to the Governor, I have appealed to him to reject any alternative set up, if suggested by chief minister Kumaraswamy, as if given longer time, he is likely to employ unethical practices,? and added that the chief minister should seek vote of confidence within three days on the floor of the state assembly. The Governor has accepted that the resignation of the BJP ministers.
Meanwhile, ruling out any truck with the Congress, Kumaraswamy was reported to have appealed to Governor Rameshwar Thakur to provide him an opportunity to prove his majority on the floor of the House. ?We also prefer mid-term elections. I should, however, be given a chance to prove majority. For the purpose I will meet the governor and request him to allow me to seek floor test as per the constitution,? Kumaraswamy said.
