The BJP-JD(S) combine?s impatient wait for a second jab in Karnataka finally seemed to come to a close on Monday with state Governor Rameshwar Thakur reaching here Monday night with his final report appraising the Centre of their claim.
While top government managers were tightlipped on the recommendations that the Governor might have made in his report, there were indications from Congress party circles that hurdles would not be placed in the way of the BJP-JD(S) combine for forming the next government. The Karnataka assembly is presently placed in suspended animation under Governor’s rule, which would have to be revoked if the BJP-JD(S) claim is to be upheld by the Governor.
Thakur will be meeting home minister Shivraj Patil and brief him about the developments that unfolded in the state. He had sent an interim status report to the Centre on October 31.
On its part, the combine has already made plans to parade all the 129 MLAs before President Pratibha Patil, in the even that the Governor does not heed the demand to invite BS Yediyurappa to form the government. The BJP leadership has already sought appointments from Rashtrapati Bhawan and have made arrangements to airlift all the 129 MLAs to the national capital in the event that the President grants them an audience.
The assessment in political circles here was that former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy?s assertion on Monday in a press conference in Bangalore that the JD(S) support to the BJP was unconditional, would have played an key role in firming up opinion within the Congress leadership.
??When Devegowda came out with his list of guidelines, the impression was that he was a hindrance to formation of government in the state. But that was diluted after
Kumaraswamy’s unconditional support. Why should the Congress now appear as the hurdle,?? a senior party leader said.
Kumaraswamy, speaking to media in Mysore, also confirmed that his party MLAs would join BJP and present themselves before the President.
He said the party had already pledged its support to form a BJP led government and there was no need to give another letter to this effect. Kumaraswamy blamed that the ??hasty?? decision taken by BJP is responsible for the current political impasse on government formation.
Meanwhile, the Congress in Karnataka on Monday launched a month-long ??janandolana?? (people’s movement) as it pushed for dissolution of Assembly and holding of fresh elections. Congress leaders, who spoke at a rally at the palace grounds, flayed the ??opportunistic attitude of the BJP-JDS coalition to regain power??, and sought to ??expose their machinations to grab it??.
