On the eve of the Governor’s address to a joint session of the legislature, speculation was rife that the Opposition BJP was continuing its efforts to woo disgruntled Congress MLAs.
Though a BJP MLA from Bengaluru, who played a key role in the party’s earlier attempts to do so, is said to be camping in Mumbai to continue those efforts, senior party leaders believe that such moves may not materialise immediately. This is in light of the ruling combine issuing a whip asking all MLAs to be present at the session.
According to them, the saffron party may now try to put the coalition government in a spot by reducing its numerical strength when the State Budget (Finance Bill) comes up for voting in the Assembly in the third week of the month.
However, what has raised curiosity is Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy’s claims that his “friends in the BJP” would rescue him if the party tried to topple his government, hinting that he may bank on the support of some MLAs from the Opposition.
Meanwhile, at a legislature party meeting of the BJP held in Bengaluru on Tuesday, the leaders decided to wait and watch the government’s moves before evolving a counter-strategy to put it on the mat during the session. A core committee meeting of the party, which was also scheduled for Tuesday, was cancelled as some members were in New Delhi.
Briefing reporters after the legislature party meeting, BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa denied reports that the party would move a no-confidence motion against the Chief Minister. But he launched a tirade against the government and remarked that it was “as good as dead”. He alleged that development works have come to a standstill and corruption reached its peak in the State.
Charging the coalition partners with indulging in internal fighting, he alleged that the ruling dispensation has completely ignored public good. He also accused them of being apathetic to the plight of people in drought-hit areas.
Meanwhile, the BJP launched a programme titled ‘Bharat Ke Mann Ki Baath–Modi Ke Saath’ to get suggestions from the public on the contents of the proposed manifesto for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.