High-stakes contests in Karnataka
The southern State of Karnataka is preparing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, a momentous event. It will unfold in 28 constituencies over two phases on April 26 and May 7.
Karnataka BJP President BS Yeddyurappa on Wednesday said that he will meet Governor Vajubhai Vala to stake claim to form the government in the state.
He further said he will request the Karnataka Governor to hold the oath ceremony today itself.
The state BJP has been treading cautiously towards staking claim to form the government even after two days of fall of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government.
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The 14-month-old Congress-JD(S) government lost the trust vote by 105-99 in the House on Tuesday after three weeks of intense power struggle in the state.
On Thursday, senior BJP leaders from Karnataka met Home Minister Amit Shah and party working president JP Nadda in Delhi.
BJP leaders Jagadish Shettar, Basavraj Bommai, Arvind Limbavali discussed the current political scenario in Karnataka, the formation of the BJP government in the state and steps to be taken regarding the matter.
The BJP leaders had been waiting for the decision of the Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on the resignation of the rebels.
Meanwhile, on Thursday evening, the Speaker disqualified three rebel MLAs, including independent MLA R. Shankar and Ramesh Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumathalli (both Congress), from the Assembly.
After the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka collapsed on Tuesday, BJP state President BS Yeddyurappa is set to be elected as its legislative party leader.
With 15 rebel legislators of the Congress-JD (Secular) resigning from their Assembly segments across the state, the effective strength of the 225-member House has reduced to 210, with 106 as the new halfway mark for a simple majority.
The BJP now has 107 members, including the support of two Independents.
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