Bengaluru: With most exit polls pointing to a big BJP win in the Lok Sabha polls, state BJP leaders are hoping that there will be BJP governments both at the Centre and in Karnataka too
Though some BJP leaders believe that it is possible for the BJP to form the government in Karnataka if it wins 22 plus Lok Sabha seats, party sources and senior leaders have expressed their reservations about formation of a BJP government unless the alliance partner, Congress pulls the rug from under the JD(S).
If the BJP wins both seats in the Assembly by-elections, (Kundgol and Chincholi) it will bring the party nearer to power, though it may still be short of the numbers to form a new government. The party will actually have to ensure the resignation of at least 10 Congress or JD(S) MLAs to bring down the government.
At present the Kumaraswamy government has 115 MLAs in the Assembly including BSP MLA, Mahesh.
"If the BJP win two seats, Kundgol and Chincholi, its numbers will go up from 104 to 106. Besides, the two Independent MLAs have already backed the BJP which will raise its tally to 108. If at least ten ruling party MLAs resign, the ruling party’s numbers will be reduced to below 108 and then the BJP has a chance to dethrone the Kumaraswamy government, otherwise the chances are very remote", a senior BJP leader said.
However after the exit poll predictions came out, State BJP President B.S.Yeddyurappa is reportedly in a jubilant mood and has started parleys to bring the BJP back to power. Mr. Yeddyurappa has openly claimed that if the BJP crosses 22 seats in Karnataka, the countdown for the fall of the Kumaraswamy headed coalition government will begin. He had also said that the Congress leadership in Karnataka will bring down the Kumaraswamy government.
Sources close to Mr Yeddyurappa told this newspaper that the Lingayat strongman has approached disgruntled Congress MLAs, who are ready to join the BJP after resigning from the Assembly. Gokak MLA, Ramesh Jarkiholi rushed to Bengaluru on Monday and camped at a five star hotel in the city where he held a meeting with his supporters.
Sources said the BJP State President has told Mr Jarkiholi to bring at least five to seven MLAs if he is planning to join the party. At the same time the BJP is also reportedly negotiating with another rebel group in the Congress, which is opposed to the continuation of Mr Kumaraswamy in the CM post.
The Yeddyurappa camp has also sent feelers to Congress MLAs, B.C. Patil, K. Sudhakar, Anand Singh and J.N. Ganesh amohg others, said sources.
