Huballi: Contrary to his diktat to party colleagues against issuing statements about longevity of the coalition government, state BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa Friday said more than 20 Congress legislators, "unhappy" with functioning of the state government, could take a decision on quitting the party at anytime, and expressed confidence about forming a new government soon after announcement of results of Lok Sabha polls on May 23.
He told the media here: "We already have a strength of 104 MLAs in the Legislative Assembly. A victory in both constituencies where by-elections will be held on May 19 (Chincholi and Kundagol) will increase the tally to 106.
Independent MLAs will offer a helping hand to the BJP to form the government. Over 20 unhappy legislators of Congress may take any decision any time. Let us wait and watch.”
The former chief minister said his party would not launch “Operation Kamala” to wean away legislators belonging to the ruling coalition as infighting among leaders of JD (S) and Congress would reach a peak immediately after announcement of results of general elections. Besides, prominent leaders of both parties would suffer a setback in Lok Sabha polls, a development which would add to the woes of coalition partners, he added. Meanwhile, KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao ridiculed the claims of Mr Yeddyurappa about disgruntled Congress legislators. "I agree that Mr Yeddyurappa is a good agitator, but he has greed for power. He will suffer a setback again this time", he added even as water resources minister D K Shivakumar claimed that his party was in touch with all 222 MLAs.
Ramesh calls meet
In a significant development, former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi held a secret meeting with opponents of his brother and minister Satish Jarkiholi from Yamakanamaradi as he had set sight on the constituency now represented by his sibling. Several BJP leaders of the local unit attended the meeting. While discussing the strategy about strengthening the BJP in Yamakanamaradi, he reportedly told these leaders that four Congress legislators would jump ship along with him, post May 23, and that the coalition government would collapse with their exit.
