Ahead of the floor test, BJP remains confident while Congress cries foul.

After Supreme Court’s order, the floor test is scheduled today in Karnataka Assembly to end the stalemate. Both the sides are claiming victory. No matter how much nervous the parties are but they all are pretending to be confident to win the crucial floor test. BJP is claiming that they will win the floor test despite the fact that they are eight short of majority mark as of now. Congress-JD(S) is also claiming that they will definitely win the floor test and, at the same time, they are also accusing that the BJP has bought and/or abducted some of their MLAs. Only time will tell whose confidence is misplaced and who is correct in the estimations. This game of throne is in its last stage. Lets us look how confident each side is.

Congress and JD(S), as usual, are crying hoarse. Congress released an audio clip in which they claimed a former BJP minister G Janardhan Reddy allegedly offered a ministry, ‘100 times more wealth and direct access to national president’ to its newly elected Congress MLA Basanagouda Daddal. The Congress party released the video yesterday in the evening. Earlier, Siddaramaiah had said,” We will release details of all the discussions between Reddy, Sriramulu and our MLAs after the trust vote. All the things they are doing to lure our MLAs are evident on the tape. All our 77 MLAs, other than Anand Singh who is being held captive, are intact.” No one knows the validity of these claims but it’s so naive of Janardhan Reddy that even after knowing that phones will be tapped, he is making such an offer on phone. The BJP dismissed the allegations by calling it utter falsehood. Prakash Javadekar called it a creation of dirty tricks department of Congress. The JD(S) Chief Minister-in-making HD Kumaraswamy alleged horse trading and hijacking of MLAs as well.

Both the Congress and JD(S) are complaining that BJP is trying to buy their MLAs. Common people are wondering how can be MLAs of these two parties are so corrupt and dishonest towards their respective parties that they are switching the sides or party for the sake of money. The Congress and JD(S) should be ashamed of themselves and they should recruit honest candidates in their parties. The Congress and JD(S) are hiding their MLAs whereas the BJP MLAs are roaming freely. So it is safe to assume only Congress and JD(S) MLAs are for sale. Three hours are left before the floor test and HD Kumaraswamy is still making vague accusations against the BJP for trying to poach his party’s MLAs.

BJP has its own critics. Former BJP member and former Union Finance Minister, Yashwant Sinha, took a jibe at his former party.  He said today’s trust vote would be won by Yeddyurappa by foul means. Just wait and watch. He also protested against the Karnataka Governor’s decision to invite the BJP to form the government. After being marginalized by the BJP, Yashwant Sinha has been albatross around the neck of BJP.

Not paying much heed to its critics and vague accusations levelled against it, BJP is confident of winning the floor test. BJP’s Karnataka poll in-charge, Prakash Javadekar tweeted,” BJP is ready and confident of winning trust vote in Karnataka. We will prove our majority on the floor of the House.”

BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 MLAs and was subsequently invited by the Governor to form the government. Congress and JD(S) formed post poll alliance and also staked claim to form the government with 117 MLAs. The majority mark is 112. Congress challenged the Governor’s decision in the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court ordered a floor test to be held today to break the stalemate.

In a major setback to hoax outrage by the Congress, SC dismissed Congress-JDS petition against Pro Tem Speaker K G Bopaiah. Round two in SC clearly went to the BJP. 

The honorable Supreme Court observed that the ‘law can’t direct the Governor to appoint a particular person as Pro-tem Speaker. Unless convention becomes legal norm, it can’t be enforced by Court’.

Earlier as well, the Supreme Court had struck down the Congress’ appeal to prevent swearing in ceremony of Yeddyurappa. The proceedings of the floor test would be live telecast in order to ensure transparency. 

This would be sixth floor test for Yeddyurappa in 11 years. He said that he is confident that the BJP will have absolute majority. Yeddyurappa faced his first floor test in 2007. He lost the floor test and his eight day government collapsed after his alliance partner withdrew support.

It is proved beyond all doubts that while BJP appears absolutely certain of its victory, Congress and JD(S) appear ready with the excuses. It certainly appears that they have seen the writing on the wall.