Former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who launched his breakaway Karnataka Janata Party at a massive rally at Haveri on Sunday, set out on a collision course with the Jagadish Shettar government in the state by getting 14 BJP legislators to join him on the dais.
He said the BJP government had lost its majority, and it should now dissolve the Assembly and call fresh elections.
Reacting to the challenge, a brave-faced Mr Shettar, who was ironically installed as CM by Mr Yeddyurappa five months ago, insisted his government still had the numbers and said disciplinary action would be taken against the rebel MLAs.
Mr Shettar and the state BJP are in an unenviable position as disciplinary action against the rebels could reduce his government to a minority, with the BJP having only 120 members in a 224-member House — something the BJP would like to avoid till at least December 22. If the government has less than six months of its tenure left in a state due to go to the polls in May next year, the governor cannot recommend President’s rule and Mr Shettar can head a caretaker government till the elections, which the BJP is keen on.
Knowing that he has the upper hand, a buoyant Mr Yeddyurappa declared war on his erstwhile party, thundering before the two-lakh-strong Haveri crowd: “You (BJP) said you will take action against those who attend the Haveri rally. We have quite a few legislators on the dais. If you have the guts, take action. Today, it has been proved beyond doubt you have lost your majority. The CM should recommend dissolution of the Assembly.”
Later, responding to a taunt by BJP state chief K.S. Eshwaarappa that Mr Yeddyurappa should ask MLAs loyal to him to resign and move a no-confidence motion in the Assembly, the former CM said he was considering this. Mr Yeddyurappa had earlier said he was against pulling down a government run by a fellow Lingayat, as this would send the wrong signal to the dominant community to which he belongs.