BENGALURU: Former chief minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy created a flutter in political circles when he said he will not allow the BJP government to fall, but those in the know were not surprised.
Analysts believe the former CMs comment is a desperate bid to save his skin and his familys political legacy, faced as he is with a CBI probe into the phone-tapping and IMA scandals and an exodus of MLAs from the party. It was also aimed at checkmating the Siddaramaiah-led Congress which hopes to come to power on its own steam should the BJP government fall.
Justifying his statement, Kumaraswamy told TOI: “The Congress wants to impose fresh elections on people at a time when thousands are reeling from floods and drought. I want the BJP government to continue in the interest of flood victims and farmers suffering from severe drought. Another election will certainly be a disaster.”
He said the BJP is neither confident of winning the required numbers (seven seats) in the bypolls nor is it ready to face mid-term polls. “The Congress is hankering for power, but it cannot win a majority. The only alternative is that we extend support to Congress to form a coalition government to prevent polls. The other option before us is to join the BJP.”
Kumaraswamy also appears to be sending a message to party legislators, who are threatening to switch sides. Some 15 MLAs and 11 MLCs are reportedly planning to join either Congress or BJP.
Analysts also say Kumaraswamy is looking to circumvent a CBI probe in the IMA Ponzi scam and the telephone-tapping case by extending an olive branch to the BJP. Kumaraswamy, however, insisted he is not afraid to face the cases.
Senior JD(S) MLC Basavaraj Horatti, who is leading the rebellion in the JD(S), said they are prepared to “wait and watch”. “It is true many legislators were oveRead More – Source
