Uncertainty prevails as BJP cold shoulders JD(S)? new moves in Karnataka

The move, which pushed the BJP?s attempts to install its first chief minister in the South into troubled waters, came at a time when there was no news from governor Rameshwar Thakur on his final report to the Centre on the political situation in the state.

For the record though, the BJP this evening again questioned the delay on the part of the state governor in inviting the BJP-JD(S) combine, arguing that whatever has happened ?internally? between the BJP and the JD(S) was not a matter of concern to the governor. ?Since we have already submitted the joint legislative party?s decision to the Governor and individual affidavits of 129 MLAs, it?s now for the Governor to invite Yediyurappa to form the government,? said a senior leader.

?Why is it that when you have to dissolve the Bihar Assembly and impose President?s Rule on the recommendation of Buta Singh, you get approval by fax from Russia in the dead of the night,? party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Expressing his annoyance he said seven days have passed since the BJP-JDS combine staked claim to form government in Karnataka but ?there is no movement in Delhi?.

The party also seemed to veer around playing its final card?parading before President Pratibha Patil all the 129 MLAs supporting the BJP?s claim to form the government in the state.

BJP circles, however, conceded that Deve Gowda?s latest move to come out with conditions or guidelines after deciding to come together was ?a violation of coalition dharma?. It was in this context that the BJP leaders decided to disregard the guidelines, a senior leader maintained.

?It?s really a matter of great discomfiture to us to see a set of fresh conditions for the support and that too when the Governor has to take a call on our claim,? he said.

Though the BJP leadership was still working on ways to do business with the JD(S), sections in the party said they were now seeing a design in Deve Gowda?s move not withdrawing his earlier letter written to the state governor. The letter stated the party?s decision not to support B S Yediyurappa as the next chief minister and urging him to dissolve the state assembly.

Meanwhile, a delegation of state Congress leaders this afternoon met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and asked him not to allow the ?unstable? BJP-JDS combine to form government. ?Everyone including JDS and BJP had requested the dissolution of the House. Now lured by power they are posing as one. We are here to convey that an unstable combine should not be invited to form government,? former JDS leader and deputy chief minister Siddaramiah said.