Karnataka Politics: With Kumaraswamy Govt’s Fall, All Eyes on BS Yeddyurappa of BJP

A month-long political stalemate that literally showcased a new low in Karnataka politics, with State Chief Minister tying his best to cling to power despite not having full support of even his own legislators, leave aside coalition partner Congress’ lawmakers, finally ended on Tuesday evening as H D Kumaraswamy losing Trust Vote in Assembly.

The chief minister, who since first day of his government formation was found complaining of running a ‘compulsion government’ and showcasing his helplessness in running the show effectively, lost by 99-105 votes in the Karnataka Assembly.

https://twitter.com/hd_kumaraswamy/status/1153698462300397569

Met Hon'ble Governor Vajubhai Vala and tendered my resignation. I profusely thank the people of the state, cabinet colleagues, all legislators and officers for the cooperation and support extended during my 14 month stint as Chief Minister.

— H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) July 23, 2019

Congress party, which was left embarrassed over its party legislators switching sides to BJP despite all efforts, blamed BJP for this lost of Trust Vote.

https://twitter.com/ashokgehlot51/status/1153710148730277888

Congress-JDS govt in #Karnataka fell because of nefarious designs and power grabbing tactics of BJP. It's a dark day for democracy. People of this country gave a huge mandate to NDA and nobody expected they would engage in horse trading & destabilize govts on basis of money power pic.twitter.com/yiW2HY5cMN

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 23, 2019

With this curtains down for the 14-month JDS-Congress government which always looked just holding on by hook or crook in the state, its BJP’s turn to undergo the litmus test of claiming and then proving  majority with its 105-strong strength of legislators and cobbling up two more MLAs.

The confidence motion was necessitated after dozens of MLAs from ruling coalition turned rebellious and tendered resignations to State Assembly Speaker and Governor of the state.

Ahead of undergoing the Floor Test and speaking to garner support for the Confidence Motion, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy declared before the House: “I am ready to happily sacrifice this position. I have my resignation in pocket.”

Denying he had any intention of dragging on the Trust Vote, the chief minister apologised to the Speaker and the people of Karnataka.

The floor’s strength was down to 204 when the Trust Vote was carried out because on Tuesday, 20 members from coalition camp JDS-Congress were absent at the time of Confidence Motion.

Meanwhile, 17 MLAs, from the coalition camp resigned and rebelled. One Congress MLA went missing and had been located being with BJP MLAs.

A Congress MLA felt sick and was undergoing treatment. One BSP MLA missed Tuesday’s session on trust vote.

Calculating the total members’ strength, the State Assembly had 204 legislators’ strength and coalition government got 99 votes against the presence of BJP’s 105.

Kumaraswamy, just after losing the Vote of Confidence, tendered his resignation to Governor Vajubhai Vala who asked him to act as caretaker Chief Minister until alternative arrangements are put in place.

BJP leaders led by former Chief Minister Yedurappa showed victory sign after the result were declared.

https://twitter.com/BJP4Karnataka?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthorhttps://twitter.com/BJP4Karnataka?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

It’s now for BJP biggest leader in Karnataka B.S. Yedurappa to cobble up the much needed two more legislators after claiming to form the government in the State.

He will meet Governor on immediate basis, said a party source.