A day after the exit polls largely predicted a hung Assembly in Karnataka, speculation is rife about the Congress and the JD(S) forming the next Government without Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the saddle. Siddaramaiah said he would step aside if the party high command wants a Dalit Chief Minister.
This might be an indication of the negotiations which might have already started in the Congress to counter any move by the BJP to form the Government. JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda is learnt to be ready to go with the Congress without Siddaramaiah to prove his secular credentials, which might help him play a role in the national politics.
Sixty-nine-year-old Siddaramaiah, who contested from Chamundeshwari in Mysuru and Badami in Bagalakote constituencies, said on Sunday it will be his last election. Addressing reporters in Chamundeshwari, the Chief Minister dismissed exit poll results and expressed confidence that the Congress would form the Government on its own.
He took to twitter to thank his party workers for support. He said, “I took charge as CM on May 13, 2013. Today I complete 5 years. As I look back in the 5 years I feel a deep sense of fulfillment. I do have a list of things we could have done better and a list of things that we need to do. I am looking forward to your love & support for doing more,” he tweeted.
“Exit polls are entertainment for the next 2 days. Relying on poll of polls is like a person who can’t swim crossing a river on foot relying on a statistician who told him the average depth of the river is 4 feet. Please note average of 6, 4, and 2 is 4. At 6 feet you drown (sic),” he tweeted.
“So, Dear party workers, supporters & well-wishers, don’t worry about exit polls. Relax & enjoy your weekend. We are coming back (sic),” he added in another tweet.
On his part, Deve Gowda has ruled out any alliance with the BJP. Ahead of the elections, he had formed a tie-up with Mayawati, which will be extended to the lok Sabha elections.
Senior Dalit leader Mallikharjuna M Kharge and State Congress president G Parameshwara are the two top contenders for the Chief Minister post if the JD(S) agrees to the proposal. However, powerful Vokkaliga (Gowda) leader and senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar indicated that the question of chief ministership is open in the event of the Congress forming the Government.
Meanwhile, at a Press conference BJP’s chief ministerial face and the lingayat strongman BS Yeddyurappa said the BJP would form the Government and decimate the Congress to make Karnataka Congress-mukt. He said there is a strong wave in favour of the BJP.
He said, “I have seen the exit polls. The BJP will win more than 125-130 seats. The Congress will not be able to cross 70-seat mark and (JD-S) will not get more than 24-25 seats. There is public anger against Siddaramaiah and the Congress.”
“This will be known when the results would be declared on Tuesday. The BJP will form the Government with an absolute majority, and the Congress will exit from Karnataka,” he added.
Yeddyurappa said, “I am not saying this. The Congress knows that it will lose. There is no question of a hung Assembly. I am confident that the BJP will form the Government.”
Asked about the possible formation of the BJP Government in the State, Yeddyurappa further said, “He (PM) is in touch with me and also the BJP president. Everybody is confident of winning with an absolute majority. We are 100 per cent sure of forming the Government on May 17.”
The counting of votes and announcement of results will take place on Tuesday.