Govt formation efforts yet to take off as BJP looks to party

Government formation exercise in Karnataka was yet to take off on Wednesday as the state BJP looked to the central leadership for its go-ahead to stake claim to provide an alternative after the collapse of the Congress-JDS coalition ministry in a confidence vote.

A day after the exit of the H D Kumaraswamy ministry, the BJP showed no hurry to stake claim for forming the next government, as the number game may not yet be finally over with both the resignations of rebel Congress and JDS MLAs and the pleas for their disqualification still pending with Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar.

The 14-month old Congress-JDS government collapsed on Tuesday as it lost the confidence motion moved by Kumaraswamy in the assembly after intense jockeying for power played out for three weeks with several political twists and turns and legal battle following the resignation of 15 rebel MLAs.

In the trial of strength, Kumaraswamy had garnered 99 votes against the 105 by the BJP, with the ruling coalition swept out of power by a big chunk of its lawmakers who refused to back out and skipped voting on confidence motion.

Chief minister in waiting Karnataka BJP President B S Yeddyurappa said he was awaiting instructions from his party central leadership on staking claim to form an alternative government.

"I'm awaiting instructions from Delhi. I can call legislature party meeting any time and go to Raj Bhavan (to stake claim). I'm waiting for it," he told reporters after meeting RSS leaders at its state headquarters "Keshava Krupa" here.

Neither the BJP Parliamentary Board meet in New Delhi to give the go ahead to Yeddyurappa on government formation nor the Legislature Party meeting here that was expected by the party state leaders happened on Wednesday.

Senior BJP legislator J C Madhuswamy said, "party national president Amit Shah has to instruct us to call a legislature party meeting in the presence of an observer to elect the leader."
He said, "things have to go democratically as ours is a national party, so we are waiting for instructions from them, after that, appointment with the Governor will be sought."
Speaking to reporters, Ramesh Kumar said, proceedings were on regarding disqualification petition, adding, "I go by law. Nothing but Constitution and law."
Asked if he has he given any fresh time line for the MLAs to appear, he said, "every thing was over. They are also satisfied, I'm also satisfiednext further action that's all."
Responding to a question on continuing alliance with the Congress, he told reporters here: "Let us see...I don't know.I don't know about the stand of Congress leaders for the future. We have not discussed anything yet."
In response to a question whether he has regrets about forming the coalition, Kumaraswamy said, "whatever issues we havetaken, there is no regret."