CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has alleged that “brazen horse-trading” and “misuse of power” by the BJP has led to the collapse of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka.

The government in Karnataka collapsed on July 23 night after the confidence motion moved by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was defeated in the Assembly, ending his 14-month-long turbulent tenure.

“Whatever may have been the strains in the coalition, the brazen horsetrading and misuse of power in Karnataka is there for all to see. From the start when BJP tried to prevent formation of this govt, until now, it has been an open display of political immorality and money power,” Mr. Yechury tweeted on July 23 night.

The turmoil in Karnataka reached the climax after dramatic twists and turns that saw the MLAs of rival camps being corralled in resorts and hotels, allegations of bribery, rebel lawmakers knocking the doors of the Supreme Court to decide on the issues of whip, floor test and Governor’s intervention.

Sixteen MLAs — 13 from the Congress and three from the JD(S) — had resigned, while Independent MLAs R. Shankar and H. Nagesh had withdrawn their support to the coalition government, pushing it to the precipice.

One Congress member Ramalinga Reddy retracted from his decision to resign, saying he would support the government.

The BJP has, however, maintained that the exit of a “corrupt, illegitimate” coalition dispensation is good news for the people of the State.