It was lotus winning ‘hands’ down in Karnataka as the BJP surged to a position of power on its own for the first time in south India.
Just short of the magic figure of 113, BJP can’t afford a wafer-thin majority
BANGALORE: It was lotus winning ‘hands’ down in Karnataka as the BJP surged to a position of power on its own for the first time in south India.
Just short of the magic figure of 113 for a majority, the saffron outfit, which will hold its legislature party meeting on Monday, has begun the exercise of roping in more MLAs. Sources said a BJP rebel and two independent winners had been contacted. Efforts are also on to dent the tally of HD Deve Gowda’s Janata Dal (S).
The party’s state president DV Sadananda Gowda said some independents had evinced interest in extending support.
Earlier, the party wanted first shot at forming the government, but has now made clear it would rather sit in opposition than tie up with the JD(S). Gowda dissidents, though, are welcome.
The BJP cannot afford a wafer-thin majority as the Congress, JD(S), the lone CPM winner and the four rebel Congress victors together make 113. The Congress, however, has conceded defeat and is not likely to indulge in any adventures in the immediate future.
Addressing a crowded press conference after a rousing welcome by party men, chief minister-designate Yediyurappa said, “It is a historic win. We are happy the people have reposed faith in the BJP and me. It has been a humbling experience. We will strive for all-round development of Karnataka.”
Yediyurappa, who plans to take oath on May 28, said, “The dream of Atalji and Advaniji to install a BJP government in the south has come true today.”
Accepting defeat, former Karnataka chief minister SM Krishna said the Congress would have to rework its strategy. Krishna had resigned as Maharashtra governor ahead of the elections to take up the campaign manager’s role.
The JD(S) blamed the negative media campaign and the Congress for its defeat. Party
leader Srikanth Murthy attributed the result to the “failure of the Congress to check the BJP onslaught, (while working to) dismantle the JD(S) by taking away creamy leadership of our party. The Congress acted as spurring agent for the BJP’s growth”.
A jubilant BJP hammered it in for the Congress, asserting that it would go on to win the next Lok Sabha polls as well. “There is a national implication (in the Karnataka victory) as this is the 11th defeat of the Congress (since 2004) and this will reflect in the Lok Sabha elections whether they are held this year or the next,” said senior party leader Sushma Swaraj.
“This is the first time since independence that any party could make it better than the Congress. There are BJP governments in seven states of the country now,” said party president Rajnath Singh.
s_rajesh@dnaindia.net
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