Karnataka appears to be headed for President’s Rule with the Congress realising that the Opposition may not be able to provide a stable government even if the rebel BJP legislators vote against the B.S. Yeddyruappa-led government during the trust vote on Monday.
“President’s Rule could be a better option than sharing power with the Janata Dal (S). But the million-dollar question is whether the rebel BJP MLAs will really vote against the government on Monday at the cost of their political career,“ Congress insiders said.
According to a Congress leader from Karnataka, even the Congress, JD(S), Independents and dissidents together may not be able to provide political stability in the state. This is because “we don’t have the requisite numbers in the Assembly. The rebels will be disqualified for six years. And the most important [thing] is [that] we cannot rely on the JD(S) if one goes by its track record”, the leader said.
“Why should we form the government with the help of unreliable partners and concede to their growing demands? President’s Rule can help check the power-hungry and the money, mining, education and liquor mafias there,” the leader said.
Chief minister B.S. Yeddyruappa, too, will not be able to give a stable government even if he wins over the rebels, conceding their demands.
The Congress high command wants to discredit the Yeddyruappa government, which has been working under pressure from different lobbies, but a section of Karnataka Congress leaders, who are controlling the PCC and the CLP, is said to be keen on forming a government. This is because all of them are former leaders of the Janata Parivar, sources said.
The Congress does not want to revive the Janata Dal (S) in Karnataka which has been relegated to the third position.
But the Congress also does not want to hurt it openly after realising that Mr Deve Gowda could be helpful at the Centre where the Congress is leading a coalition government.
Asked whether the Karnataka developments would have a bearing in Bihar, a Congress insider said: “Not at all. Bihar is a different story.”