As the political uncertainty added to infighting and has hit the fragile coalition in Karnataka, political pundits feel the President’s Rule looms large over the State. The war of words between Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who is struggling to keep the coalition intact, and BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa for the last few days has reached a peak leading to fluid political situation.
In a fit of anger Kumaraswamy had asked the people to revolt (dange) against the BJP for trying to topple his Government but later he said his statement was misquoted. Yeddyurappa too charged JD(S) and Kumaraswamy as commission agents.
The BJP termed the use of the word ‘revolt’ as “seditious” and appealed to Governor Vajubhai Vala to initiate action against the CM. Soon after the CM’s statement, there was a snap protest by a few Congress workers at the residence of BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa. The saffron party has also threatened to take legal action against Kumaraswamy.
In a major development on Friday the JDs has called a legislature party meeting at Hassan on Saturday indicates the political fluidity in the state. Chief Minister who looks hassled went to former chief minister Siddaramaiah to discuss the political situation. The customary cabinet meeting on Thursday according to sources too discussed political situation arising out of operation Lotus threat by the BJP which plans to poach JDs and Congress MLAs. According to sources in the BJP is planning to take some MLAs to resort in Pune or Mumbai. The BJP in the state has also authorised Yeddyurappa to take suitable action if need be to form the government.
The BJP accused chief minister of sedition and sought action over his remark asking people to rise in revolt against BJP for its alleged attempt to destabilise the collation government. The party has also officially lodged a complaint with DGP and said the chief minister has violated section 124(A) and other sections of IPC. Party workers Holding placards and raising slogans against JDs supremo Devegowda and his sons, including Kumaraswamy, protested in Bengaluru.
BJP leader Shobha Karndlaje said the person who was supposed to protect the Constitution and citizens of the country was “provoking” people. Another BJP MP Prahlad Joshi termed the statement as the “most irresponsible and unpardonable offence” and said the chief minister's choice of words displayed his state of mind.
Upset over the alleged toppling game of the BJP, an angry Kumaraswamy had on Thursday warned BJP to be restrained in its speech about Gowda and his family, saying he can even ask people to rise in revolt against it if it continued to disturb Congress-Janata Dal-Secular coalition government headed by him.
Launching a no-holds-barred attack on state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa, Kumaraswamy had said: “If you dig too much (into our affairs), then we too have many things at our disposal.” “Government is in our hand. Don't I have the authority to do whatever I can? I caution him to be careful,” he added.
Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday reminded Yeddyurappa on the denotification case. “Do not instigate me to lose my patience. I have my government and can take extreme decision,” he said, warning the BJP top leader to stay away from making wild allegations against members of his family and stop attempting to topple the coalition government.
In another development the JDs legislatures have complained to the speaker about BJP’s operation lotus and asked the speaker to protect the MLAs from horse trading and poaching.