Bengaluru: With Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and water resources minister D.K. Shivakumar attempting a counter offensive against the BJP by attempting to rope in ten party legislators, state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa went on the defensive, blaming JD (S) leaders of trying to whittle down the strength of the principal Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.
Amid reports of Mr Kumaraswamy and Mr Shivakumar trying to lure ten BJP legislators, Mr Yeddyurappa told the media his party was not interested in toppling the coalition government.
Sources in Dal (S) said post cabinet reshuffle on December 22, BJP leaders attempted 'Operation Lotus-2.0' with Mr Yeddyurappa pleading with party president Amit Shah for one last chance to form the government after the latter denied an appointment to disgruntled former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi. Around the same time, the Chief Minister and water resources minister, playing their cards close to their chest and not revealing the names of BJP MLAs, convinced these legislators to jump ship as they would not be able to secure a higher position in their party. When Mr Yeddyurappa pleaded for one last chance, Mr Shah asked him to coordinate with Maharashtra Chief Minister Mr Devendra Fadnavis and assured to intervene once Mr Fadnavis was convinced about the number game. The scene subsequently shifted to Mumbai.
When the number game commences, with BJP leaders succeeding in convincing 14 Congress MLAs to quit, the strength of both parties would stand at 104 respectively. At this juncture, two independent MLAs would extend support to the BJP, and either move a no confidence motion or imposition of President's rule.
With their counter strategy in place, Kumaraswamy and Mr Shivakumar would reduce the strength of BJP by ten in the Assembly, a move which would also dent its prospect in Lok Sabha polls.
