Karnataka: BJP's Yeddyurappa to take oath as CM at 6pm
BS Yeddyurappa, whose last stint as Karnataka's Chief Minister lasted less than three days, will now take oath at 6 PM on Friday. A short while ago, the BJP leader met Governor Vajubhai Vala at the Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form the government. Speaking to reporters, Yeddyurappa said he would request Vala to complete the oath-taking ceremony today itself.
For the uninitiated, Yeddyurappa would succeed HD Kumaraswamy in the CM office. Kumaraswamy became the CM in 2018 after his party, JD(S), and Congress forged a post-poll alliance. On flimsy ground since beginning, the coalition was shaken after 18 MLAs resigned in the last two weeks. Kumaraswamy appeared for, and lost the trust vote on Tuesday, paving way for BJP to form the government.
The crisis in Karnataka, which was long-drawn, didn't end even after the coalition's collapse. It was expected BJP would rush to form the government, but it didn't. Apparently, the saffron party was waiting for a green signal from the top brass in Delhi. "Got a phone call from Delhi and a final nod from BJP chief Amit Shah with the go-ahead," BJP leader said.
BS Yeddyurappa,BJP: I just met the Governor, I will take oath as Chief Minister today at 6 pm. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/LkemKmqQP6
— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2019
To note, BJP moved swiftly just hours after speaker KR Ramesh Kumar disqualified three MLAs. Ramesh said the resignations of MLAs weren't genuine, and hence action was taken against them under the anti-defection law. He also said he would decide on the remaining resignations in the next couple of days. Had BJP not staked a claim, there were chances of President's Rule being imposed in Karnataka.
Interestingly, with the disqualifications, the strength of the House has come down to 221, and the majority mark is 112. Now, BJP has 105 legislators in the House and it still needs to prove majority. According to TOI, Vala has given Yeddyurappa a week's time to appear for the floor test. Last time, he had resigned before the trust vote knowing he lacked numbers.
"I will discuss with BJP's national president regarding who all can take the oath with me today. I request caretaker chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and former CM Siddaramaiah to attend swearing-in ceremony along with other leaders of Congress and JD(S)," Yeddyurappa reportedly said.
