The Congress foresees a mid-term Assembly election in Karnataka, saying it would be the ruling BJP which can advance polls. Chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who has been facing private complaints on alleged corruption relating to illegal land deals, became the first ever chief minister in Karnataka’s history to face prosecution on corruption charges.
“It will be difficult for Yeddyurappa to remain in office in this situation for long. He will prefer to seek a fresh mandate,” said a senior AICC leader here on Monday.
Asked how the BJP can face elections against the backdrop of corruption charges, the leader said this was because Mr Yeddyurappa would not like someone to become a chief minister till he gets cleared of the charges.
When his attention was drawn to what would be a reaction of the Lingayat community if the BJP removes Mr Yeddyurappa, he said even the community would not like an accused to run the government.
Mr Yeddyurappa has emerged as the tallest leader of the Lingayat community after JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy had ditched him by refusing to honour the power-sharing rule.
Mr Yeddyurappa, who has been surviving on technical “majority” in the state Assembly, won the recently held local body elections, placing the JD(S) to a third position.
The Congress is gearing up for a electoral battle after realising that political instability prevailing in the state will ultimately lead to a mid-term election. But it is in no mood to have a pre-poll alliance with the JD(S) led by former Prime Minister H.D Deve Gowda. This is because it cannot be relied upon if one goes by its track record. The JD(S) had a history of sharing power with both the BJP and the Congress and ditching them in the middle.
The Congress has not only emerged as number two in the local body elections but moved closer to the BJP by winning the seats.
The Karnataka Congress has decided to hold a rally in Bengaluru on January 30 to demand the resignation of the Yeddyurappa government over the corruption charges.