Two independent MLAs withdraw support from Congress-JDS government in Karnataka

In Karnataka, two independent MLAs, H Nagesh, and R Shankar have withdrawn their support from the Congress-JDS government in the state. The MLAs have written to the Karnataka governor in two similar letters, stating “I would like to bring to your kind attention, that I am withdrawing my support extended to the coalition government in Karnataka headed by Congress & JDS parties with immediate effect.”

The two leaders have expressed their disappointment at the inefficiency of the Congress-JDS led Karnataka government. H Nagesh said “My support to coalition govt was to provide good&stable govt which utterly failed. There’s is no understanding among coalition partners. So, I decided to go with BJP to install stable govt & see that govt performs better than the coalition.”

Independent MLA, R Shankar said “Today is Makar Sankranti, on this day we want a change in the govt. The govt should be efficient, so I am withdrawing my support (to the Karnataka govt) today.”

After a host of events that have embarrassed Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, his teary-eyed confessions of having little control over the government, the failed scheme of loan waivers to farmers and the “kill mercilessly” orders caught on camera, the government of Karnataka formed last year in May is facing an impending collapse.

According to media reports, Karnataka Water Resources Minister and Congress leader D. K. Shivakumar claimed that three of his party’s MLAs are camping in Mumbai and may join the BJP soon, alleging that BJP has kick-started “Operation Kamala”. BJP source further claimed that Congress MLAs Anand Singh from Vijayanagara, Nagendra from Ballari Rural and Ramesh Jarkiholi from Gokak are in close talks with the saffron party. Ramesh Jarkiholi who was removed from the Congress-JDS Cabinet in a recent reshuffle and a dropout from the Congress had earlier claimed Congress-JD(S) coalition in Karnataka may collapse at any moment.

There is a high probability that the Congress-JD(S) coalition in Karnataka may collapse at any moment. According to a report in Deccan Chronicle, Umesh Katti, a former minister, and BJP MLA from Hukkeri, earlier claimed that the BJP may form the government in the state, as 15 disgruntled MLAs (Assumed to be from Lingayat sect) of the Congress-JD(S) coalition are in touch with the saffron party. On being asked further, he refused to reveal the names of the MLAs. But he went on to add that these MLAs are upset over not being given ministerial posts in the state cabinet and are willing to join the BJP.

As of now, 5 MLAs have gone “missing” including Ramesh Jharikholi, while 104 BJP leaders are reported to have gathered in Gurgaon with the BJP alleging that HD Kumaraswamy was trying to “split its ranks”. The Congress-JDS alliance now has 116 members, still more than the majority mark of 113.

In the Assembly elections held in May 2018, BJP had emerged as the single largest party winning 104 out of 224 seats. The Congress won 80 seats and allied with the JD(S) which got 37 seats to form the government in the state. Three remaining seats went in the favour of others including 1 for the BSP (which allied with the INC later), 1 for Karnataka Pragnyavantha Janatha Party (KPJP) and a single seat went to an independent candidate. The equation of seats in the states assembly is going to get more complex If 10 or 12 MLAs of the Congress-JD(S) alliance join the BJP. Meanwhile, Operation Lotus has already opened its scoreboard.