The stage is set for dissolution of the Karnataka Assembly with Parliament on Monday adopting a resolution for imposition of President's Rule in the state.
NEW DELHI: The stage is set for dissolution of the Karnataka Assembly with Parliament on Monday adopting a resolution for imposition of President's Rule in the state, finally ending a bizarre political drama.
The drama, involving JD(S), BJP and Congress, saw three governments in the span of some 40 months, one led by the Congress and the other by the JD(S) while the BJP-led dispensation became a seven-day wonder.
The curtain was rung down with the Lok Sabha approving the Presidential proclamation closely followed by the Rajya Sabha amid assertions by Home Minister Shivraj Patil that the Assembly would be dissolved at the earliest.
There were charges and counter-charges in both the Houses with former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda becoming emotional while warding off charges of being "power hungry" levelled by the BJP.
The discussion in the Lok Sabha saw BJP leader Anant Kumar accusing Gowda as a "betrayer" and demanding that fresh election in the southern state be held immediately.
"Sheer lust for power led Deve Gowda to withdraw power to the coalition government in the state," Kumar said.
In the Rajya Sabha, BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu accused the Congress of "manipulation" to gain a backdoor entry to power and dubbed the events in the southern state as a "mockery of democracy".
Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said the BJP and the JD(S) had turned on their head the concept of "collective responsibility" with a Cabinet Minister levelling murder charges against the Chief Minister.
He said the word 'secular' in JD(S) has become the biggest joke in country's political firmament and spoke about BJP's "naked lust" for power in joining hands with the Deve Gowda-led party.
Moving the resolution for adoption of the Presidential proclamation, the Home Minister detailed the developments in the state, especially in the last two months and said the Centre planned to dissolve the Assembly as soon as Parliament approves the motion.
During the discussion in Lok Sabha, Gowda launched an emotional defence and accused the BJP of persuading his son H D Kumarswamy into becoming the Chief Minister when he (Gowda) was away in Delhi.
He also sought to take credit for "closing the gates" of Karnataka for the BJP.
D Raja of CPI said the coming together of BJP and JD(S) was a manifestation of "great political opportunism" and said his party favoured elections in the state so that parties can seek a fresh mandate.
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