‘Govt is Stable’: K’taka CM on Independent MLAs Exiting Coalition
R Shankar and H Nagesh had gone incommunicado two days ago.
Two independent MLAs in the Karnataka Assembly – R Shankar and H Nagesh – on Tuesday, 15 January, withdrew their support from the JD(S)-Congress coalition government ruling in the state. These two MLAs had gone incommunicado two days ago before announcing their decision in Mumbai at a press conference.
The Congress-JD(S) coalition, along with the support of the solitary BSP MLA, has 117 seats in the House, out of a total of 224 seats.
- Kumaraswamy said he was relaxed, as he is confident of the strength of the Karnataka Assembly
AICC core members will be meeting in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Karnataka - The BJP MLAs with the Independents together account for 106 seats
- The magic number to form the government in Karnataka is 113 seats
I am in touch With Everyone: HD Kumaraswamy
Reiterating his stand, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said, “No one (Congress MLAs) will be shifted to any resort. There is no necessity for that. I am relaxed, you (media) are taking tension.”
When asked about reports of CM being in touch with BJP MLAs, he said: “Let’s see what happens in the coming days.”
“The MLAs may not be reachable for you (media) but they are reachable for me. I am in touch everyone. I am keeping track of every development. Who all requires protection and who we should be cautious about, I am aware. I know what steps have to be taken, and I will take them.”HD Kumaraswamy, Karnataka Chief Minister
He denied the reports that he had confrontations with Congress’s Karnataka in-charge KC Venugopal.
“He is the responsible person, assigned as the in-charge secretary of the Congress. He is here. I’m not irresponsible. Whatever the situations is, I have explained it to him.”
“It is not necessary for go for operation (poaching) on BJP MLAs. My numbers are sufficient. I have enough numbers with me. Why should I go for operation (poaching) on BJP MLAs?”
No Need to Hype It up so Much: Deve Gowda
JD(S) President and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, HD Deve Gowda said, “The two MLAs (who withdrew support from Karnataka Govt) are not affiliated with any party. They are independents. There is no need to hype it up so much. It is all a media hype.”
Our MLAs Went to Mumbai for Holidays: Zameer Ahmed Khan
Amid speculations of BJP attempting to poach Karnataka Congress MLAs in Mumbai, Congress’ Zameer Ahmed Khan has expressed confidence in the party’s strength. He has also asserted that Congress MLAs were, in fact, holidaying in Mumbai and will be back on Wednesday.
“Our MLAs went to Mumbai for holidays, they’ll be back by tomorrow. As per media, the number (of MLAs withdrawing support) is increasing but according to us, it’s decreasing. For us, it has come down to two from 15-16. Akalmand ko ishaara kaafi hai (indication is enough for the clever).”Zameer Ahmed Khan
Amit Shah Told Yeddyurappa to Gather 20 MLAs: BJP Source
A BJP source claimed that Amit Shah had instructed Yeddyurappa to gather 20 MLAs.
“There are only a handful of leaders now. When Yeddyurappa approached Amit Shah with the idea, he was instructed to gather 20 MLAs. Amit Shah said the party would not support the operation otherwise. This may seem like a big number but bringing down a government is not easy and Amit Shah wants bargaining chips.”BJP source, as reported by TNM
The BJP source also told PTI that the party's leadership may also hold talks with JD(S) and support the party from outside.
“BJP is willing to form a coalition with JDS if Deve Gowda refrains from indulging in dynasty politics. JD(S) does not want Yeddyurappa to become the CM. That’s why Amit Shah wants 20 MLAs in order to bargain for a better deal if need be. Going for a trust vote and forming a government is not so easy.”BJP source, as reported by TNM
According to TNM, he added: “There will be bypolls and if the BJP does not win there the whole operation would end up failing.”
JD(S) In Talks With 8 BJP MLAs, Claims Party Insider
A JD(S) insider, reportedly, told TNM that the party is in touch with around eight BJP leaders as a counter to the BJP's poaching operation.
“Our party leaders have been approached by BJP. They have been offered plum posts and huge amounts of money to vote in favour of the BJP. But our leaders have refused. If they can stoop to such levels even we can. We have also been in touch with BJP leaders who are willing to offer their support.”JD(S) source
Meanwhile, the BJP claims to have the support of 7 Congress MLAs who have been lodged at the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai, reported TNM.
Govt Should Be Efficient: R Shankar, Post Departure
Explaining his reason for withdrawal of support, R Shankar said “government should be efficient.”
“Today is Makar Sankranti, on this day we want a change in the government. The govt should be efficient, so I am withdrawing my support today.”R Shankar
No Understanding Among Coalition Partners: H Nagesh, Post Departure
Speaking to ANI, following his withdrawal of support to the JD(S)-Congress government, H Nagesh alleged that there is “no understanding among coalition partners”, which is why he has decided “to go with BJP”.
“My support to coalition government was in order to provide good and stable government which utterly failed. There’s is no understanding among coalition partners. So, I decided to go with BJP to install stable govt and see that government performs better than the coalition.”H Nagesh
No Need to Protect Cong MLAs: KL George
Addressing the media, Congress' KL George said "There is no need for protecting Congress' MLAs" and that they are all together.
“We discussed about parliamentary elections meeting. It is a fact that all top leaders are here for the parliamentary elections. I don’t see any political crisis. There is no need for our MLAs to be in resort. There is no need for protecting Cong MLAs. As of today, all our Cong MLAs are together.”KL George
Congress Trying to Shift the Blame on BJP: P Muralidhar Rao
BJP’s National General Secretary P Muralidhar Rao took to Twitter to allege that Congress is trying to shift the blame on BJP.
If You Have Decided My Govt Will Fall, Stop Asking Me Questions: HD Kumaraswamy Hits Out at Media
Addressing the media outside Bengaluru’s Kumarakrupa guest house, HD Kumaraswamy, reportedly said that if the media has decided what is to happen to his government, then they should not ask him about it.
“Our media friends have been saying this government will fall for seven months. Other day I saw TV and they’ve said the government will fall during Sankranti. If you have decided why are you asking me about this ? You have only made the claims.”HD Kumaraswamy
He also stated that BJP will not be able to bring the numbers they have down.
“My government is formed with the Congress. I have not taken any responsibility for the two independents. Have we lost majority? I have information on who is planning to quit and who is not. I know what numbers we have. BJP will not be able to bring it down.”
Karnataka Ministers KJ George and Zameer Ahmed Khan have also reached Kumarakrupa guest house in Bengaluru where Congress' KC Venugopal is lodged.
Shivakumar En Route Maharashtra for Water Ministry Meeting: Updated Report
Earlier, citing sources, TNM had said that the Karnataka Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar was on his way to Mumbai, where three Congress MLAs have been taken by the BJP.
However, TNM subsequently put out an update saying that Shivakumar “is going to Aurangabad in Maharashtra to attend a Water Ministry meeting.”
Meanwhile, Congress sources have reportedly told News18 that the party is in touch with 6 BJP MLAs who are currently at a hotel in Gurugram.
AICC core members will also be meeting in New Delhi to discuss the situation in Karnataka.
Shivakumar's Speculations & What's Known So Far
On Sunday, 13 January, Karnataka Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar said that the BJP's 'Operation Lotus' to topple the state's coalition government was for real and that three Congress MLAs were camping in a Mumbai hotel in the "company of some BJP leaders.”
“Horse-trading is going on in the state. Three of our MLAs are in Mumbai in a hotel with some BJP MLAs and leaders. We are aware of what has transpired there and how much has been offered to them,” he had said.
Shivakumar had also accused CM Kumaraswamy of being “lenient” towards the BJP.
"Our chief minister is a bit lenient towards the BJP. By 'lenient', I mean he is not exposing the facts he knows. All the MLAs have conveyed to the chief minister about the ongoing conspiracies. They have also told Siddaramaiah about it.”
Subsequently, Karnataka's ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition and Opposition BJP on Monday, 14 January, had traded allegations of making attempts to poach their respective MLAs in a fresh political war just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
While the Congress pointed out that five of its lawmakers were “missing”, the BJP flew its 104 MLAs to a resort in Gurugram. Karnataka BJP State Chief BS Yeddyurappa had also rubbished reports that his party was attempting 'Operation Lotus' to topple the state government.
I Feel Operation Lotus Will be Successful: Ram Shinde
Expressing his approval of Nagesh and Shankar’s decision, BJP's Ram Shinde said that he feels “Operation Lotus” will be successful.
“They must have thought that they should join BJP, (the party) that received the mandate instead of those who formed unnatural alliance. I’m getting a feeling that Operation Lotus will be successful in the coming days.”Ram Shinde
BJP's 'Operation Kamala' Ploy Not New: Siddaramaiah
Soon after the news of the two MLAs withdrawing support broke, Congress leader Siddaramaiah said that BJP’s ploy of ‘Operation Kamala’ was nothing new.
"Chowkidar narendra modi, you call yourself the country's chowkidaar. Now , you have become chowkidar guarding the door of MLAs in hotel rooms...Che!" Siddaramaiah also tweeted in Kannada.
I'm Relaxed, I Know My Strength: Kumaraswamy
Soon after the two Independent MLAs withdrew their support from the JD(S)-Congress coalition in Karnataka, a seemingly unfazed state Chief Minister said he was “relaxed”.
“If two MLAs withdraw their support, what will be the numbers? I’m totally relaxed. I know my strength. I am enjoying (watching) whatever is going on in the media in the past week.”HD Kumaraswamy
Commenting on the withdrawal of support by the Independents, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said that the government was stable.
“We have been saying that BJP is luring our MLAs through money and power but their attempts to destabilise the government will fail. Our government is stable,” reported ANI.
No Threat to Cong-JD(S) Government: Gowda
Moments before H Nagesh and R Shankar – withdrew support to the Congress-JD(S) coalition, HD Deve Gowda had asserted that there was no threat to the government headed by his son HD Kumaraswamy.
"It is not in anybody's hands, including the media. However much you cry hoarse, nothing will happen because it is in the hands of God. When a party (JDS) of 38 MLAs gets the blessings of a national party (Congress), it is all the wish of God," Gowda said.
Gowda said it was an "illusion" to think that the Congress-JD(S) government was in trouble and that the media as well as state BJP president BS Yeddyurappa were in "confusion".
The JD(S) supremo further asserted:
"You are under some confusion (about the stability of the government) as also is Yeddyurappa, but I have no such confusion. Nobody can destabilise the government because it is the wish of God."
Who Are R Shankar and H Nagesh?
R Shankar belongs to the Karnataka Pragnyavantha Janatha Paksha (KPJP). He won from Ranebennur after defeating former Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly – KB Koliwad of the Congress, reported TNM.
During the no-confidence motion in May 2018, Shankar reportedly kept switching loyalties between the Congress and the BJP. Congress strategist DK Shivakumar finally managed to win him on to their side and Shankar was sworn in as Minister of Forest and Environment, reported TNM. Subsequently, in December 2018, he was removed.
H Nagesh, on the other hand, was elected from Mulbagal in Kolar in the State Assembly elections, reported TNM. He had contested as an independent candidate after he lost out of favour of the local Congress leadership. However, he emerged victorious after the Congress candidate from the seat was disqualified.
Two Independent MLAs Withdraw Support in Karnataka
R Shankar and H Nagesh withdrew their support for Karnataka’s JD(S)-Congress coalition government on Tuesday, 15 January, after having been incommunicado for two days.
According to TNM, the duo wrote letters addressed to the Governor of Karnataka, announcing their withdrawal.
"I would like to bring to your kind attention that I am withdrawing my support extended to the coalition government of Karnataka headed by Congress and JDS parties with immediate effect. Requesting you to take necessary action," read the letters.
The resignations come days after Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar confirmed that three Congress MLAs were camped in a hotel in Mumbai and were speaking to BJP leaders. The admission had set off speculation that BJP was planning to upstage the coalition government in the state.