Siddaramaiah attacks Modi while BJP-lawmakers from Karnataka stay at resort
What's the story
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday over the coalition crisis in the state and asked him whether his saaf niyat slogan was about grabbing power through a coup. The seven months old JD(S)-Congress coalition suffered a major jolt after two independent MLAs withdrew their support from the HD Kumaraswamy led government. Here's more.
Context
Backstory: Two independent MLAs resigned from government
The independent MLAs who resigned are R. Shankar and H. Nagesh. In a letter to Karnataka Governor, they underlined they were withdrawing support from the government immediately. The desertion doesn't affect the government, which has a strength of 117 in the 224-member house. The magic number is 113 and as of now, the government is well above it. However, things could change swiftly.
Problems
Kumaraswamy has reasons to worry but Deve Gowda feels otherwise
Reports claim that at least 5 Congress MLAs could switch loyalties and join hands with BJP. This could jeopardize the strength of the government. While the series of events is troubling for Kumaraswamy, JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda said there's nothing to fear. "The two MLAs are not affiliated with any party. They are independents. There is no need to hype it," he said.
Resort politics
On a related note, BJP lawmakers are staying in Gurugram
Meanwhile, Operation Lotus as it is referred to in political circles in underway in full swing. From Bengaluru in Karnataka, nearly 100 lawmakers of BJP, including BS Yeddyurappa, have been stationed at a resort in Gurugram. The BJP has virtually taken over the hotel and has booked 60 rooms (each costing Rs. 30,000). The security has also been beefed up at the resort.
Twitter Post
In latest development, Congress cadres protest outside resort
Haryana: Congress workers protest outside the hotel in Gurugram where Karnataka BJP MLAs are staying. Protestors allege BJP is indulging in horse trading pic.twitter.com/9Mn2cvc5Ut
— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2019
Details
BJP dismisses claims of coup but says government will fall
While reports suggest, the lotus could bloom in the southern state, months after BJP became the single largest party, the MLAs have refuted all claims. BJP has maintained the lawmakers came to Delhi for the National Convention and are not trying to bring down any government. "It (government) will fall on its own," said P Muralidhar Rao of BJP, adding there was internal conflict.