BENGALURU: With rebel MLAs launching an open attack against JD(S) leadership, leaders of the state unit of BJP do not have to sweat in order to obtain the magic number of 29 votes to ensure the victory of party’s second, candidate Lehar Singh, in next week’s elections to the Legislative Council.
In fact, BJP leaders are confident of the support of rebel MLAs of JD(S) and the surplus votes of Congress as part of the strategy to defeat the second candidate of JD(S). Therefore, Mr Lehar Singh stands a better chance of returning to the upper House than JD(S) candidate Dr. Venkatapathy.
JD (S) rebel MLAs, Zameer Ahamed Khan, N Chelvarayaswamy, H C Balakrishna, Iqbal Ansari and Akanda Srinivasamurthy are unlikely to Dr Venkatapathy in view of their strained relationship with state unit president H.D. Kumaraswamy.
The party has 11 surplus votes for its second candidate, but if these MLAs rebel, the number would be reduced to six. In such circumstances, it would be very difficult for the party to garner 29 first preferential votes to ensure Dr Venkatapathy’s victory.
On the other hand, BJP has 14 to 15 surplus votes after electing its first candidate V. Somanna. With the help of KJP and BSR Congress, the number would go up to 19 to 20.
For remaining 10 to 11 votes, BJP has established contact with independent MLAs. If party the candidate fails to obtain adequate number of first preference votes, then the returning officer would consider second preference votes.
Sources in BJP said state unit president B.S.Yeddyurappa has already drawn up plan ‘B’ to ensure the victory of his diehard supporter Lehar Singh by seeking surplus votes of Congress if required.
As Mr. Arun Kumar has withdrawn from the contest, the Congress has three to four surplus votes in its pocket after electing its four candidates. With both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and energy minister D.K. Shivakumar determined to ensure the defeat of JD (S) in both Rajya Sabha and Council polls, the BJP would stand to benefit, sources added.
