After sweeping by-polls, Yediyurappa promises to induct 'defectors' into Cabinet
In Karnataka, both BJP and the rebel MLAs, who played an important role in bringing down HD Kumaraswamy's government, got what they wanted. The saffron party formed the government and the defectors will now be given cabinet positions. This announcement was made by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa after BJP swept by-polls, today. Here are more details.
To jog your memory, by-polls were held in 15 Assembly constituencies and BJP gave tickets to 13 MLAs who had resigned from the previous Congress-JD(S) government. The MLAs were disqualified by the former Speaker KR Ramesh, a decision they challenged in Supreme Court. Holding their disqualification, the top court allowed them to contest polls, which were held on Thursday.
Now, BJP had a wafer-thin majority in the House, which made by-polls crucial for its sustenance. In the by-polls, BJP has won 12 seats, giving a sigh of relief to Yediyurappa, who took the reins of the state in his hand in July. While BJP celebrated, Congress conceded defeat, with former Congress leader and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah resigning as the party legislature leader.
Speaking in Bengaluru after the results, Yediyurappa said he would go to Delhi in the next few days. "As promised will induct them (rebel MLAs) into the Cabinet. Especially happy that we won the seat in KR Pete where Bookankere my native place is located. I would like to thank our national leaders PM Modi and Amit Shah," the 76-year-old said.
"There was trouble due to instability. Now with results, I hope Congress and JD(S) will co-operate with us to provide good governance for the next three and a half years," Yediyurappa said.
To note, BJP had the support of 105 MLAs in the 208-seated Assembly before the results were out. To run the government, they needed to win just six out of the 15 seats, but BJP won twice the required number. Reveling in the results, PM Modi said at an election rally in Jharkhand that Congress and JD(S) were punished for stealing mandate.
While the results have given BJP a reason to celebrate, the win from Krishnarajapete (KR Pete) is the most spectacular. A rural seat, this area has always been a JD(S) stronghold, but this time Naryana Gowda, a rebel who was given a BJP ticket, won. Before polls, Kumaraswamy had urged voters to reject Gowda "who slit his throat", but his words naturally didn't connect with them.
