BENGALURU, May 19: The three-day-old BJP government in Karnataka collapsed on Saturday, minutes before the scheduled trust vote, with Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa resigning in a tame anticlimax to what promised to be an on-the-edge-of-seat political thriller.
With defeat staring him in the face, Yeddyurappa announced his decision to quit on the floor of the Assembly after a brief emotion-laden speech.??Though exuding confidence about winning the trust vote, as the D-Day loomed he failed to muster support of seven additional MLAs required to ensure the longevity of his government.
“I will not face confidence vote… I am going to resign,” he told the Assembly at the end of a brief emotional speech, and headed straight to the Raj Bhavan where he handed over his resignation to Governor Vaju-bhai Vala.
The 75-year-old Lingayat stalwart’s resignation will pave the way for formation of a government led by JD(S) state chief HD Kumaraswamy, who has the backing of the Congress. The newly formed alliance has claimed support of 117 MLAs in the 224-member House with an effective strength of 221.
The political instability in the state stemmed from a split verdict the electorate gave on 15 May, with the BJP emerging as the single-largest party but falling short of a majority.
Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday said the Congress-JDS combine was not in a hurry and was awaiting an invitation from the Karnataka governor for government formation in the state.
“We are not in a hurry. We are waiting for an invitation from the governor,” he told reporters, soon after Yeddyurappa announced his decision to quit as Karnataka chief minister without facing the vote of confidence in the assembly.??Asked about the future course of action, Kumaraswamy said the leaders of the Congress and the JD(S) would sit together and take a decision on it.
The Congress has already categorically stated that it will be a Kumaraswamy-headed government in the southern state.
The Supreme Court had yesterday ordered a floor test in the Karnataka assembly at 4 pm today, drastically slashing the 15-day window given by Governor Vajubhai Vala to Yeddyurappa to prove his majority. (PTI)
