A week after being sworn in as Chief Minister, Jagadish Shettar will be hoping that the divisions in the state BJP do not result in cross-voting and abstentions when crucial legislation including the Finance Bill are taken up for approval during the eight-day session beginning on Thursday
The defeat of the Finance Bill would well mean the exit of Mr Shettar’s fledgling government — a possibility which cannot be discounted with rebel MLAs led by former revenue minister Karunakar Reddy in no mood to budge unless some of them are accommodated in the cabinet. To rule out any threat to the government from the rebels, Mr Shettar has convened a meeting of the BJP legislature party (BJPLP) on Thursday to discuss voting in the presidential poll and issues which may come up in the session. The party is likely to issue a whip to its 119 MLAs to be present in the House at any cost when voting is taken up, said sources.
A few abstentions during the vote, will make it easy for the Opposition to defeat the government which could spell curtains for Mr Shettar. If the opposition — sensing a chance to defeat the Finance Bill by making the best of the faction fight in the BJP — presses for a vote, the ruling party will have to marshal its forces and make sure all its MLAs are present in the House on July 30 when voting will take place. The opposition Congress and JD(S) are determined to grill the government for its tardy relief work in drought-hit areas. The recent revolt in the BJP that culminated in a change of guard and its impact on the administrative machinery, will come in handy for the opposition.