BJP seeks time from K’taka Guv, urges him to deny HDK's claim to form govt

The BJP believes a week will give it ample time to notch up the numbers it requires to poach MLAs from the Congress, JDS(S), and two independents.

Karnataka Elections Karnataka 2018

Even as JD(S) Chief HD Kumaraswamy is scheduled to meet Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala at 5.30pm on Tuesday to stake claim to form the next government, sources have told TNM that the BJP will ask the governor not to accept his request.

This comes after Kumaraswamy was granted an appointment seeking to form a government in an alliance with the Congress.

Speaking to TNM, sources said the BJP will seek to buy time from Governor Vajubhai Vala arguing that as the single largest party it would require a week to form the government.

This, the BJP believes, will give it ample time to notch up the numbers it requires and to poach MLAs from the Congress, JD(S) and the two independents. As of now, the Congress claims that the two independents – H Nagesh who won from Mulbagal and R Shankar from Ranebennur - are with them.

Congress leader DK Shivakumar had earlier reached the Governor's residence with H Nagesh, the independent who won from Mulbagal constituency.

Following a meeting with the Governor, BJP state chief BS Yeddyurappa told the media, “We met the governor as the single largest party. And we asked him to allow us to prove our majority on the floor of the Assembly.”

As of 5pm, the Election Commission website stated that the BJP was leading in 104 seats, Congress in 78 constituencies, the JD(S) in 38 and Independents in 2.

With the Karnataka Assembly heading for a fractured mandate, the Congress was quick to swoop in to secure a deal with the JD(S).

Speaking to TNM, JD(S) General Secy Tanveer Ahmed had earlier said that the parties have agreed on the basic principles of the alliance. “We have not worked out the modalities of the alliance yet, but we have an in-principle agreement. We are willing to form the government with Kumaraswamy as the CM,” Ahmed said adding that Kumaraswamy will be sworn in as the CM on May 18.

He, however, said that they will not accept ‘outside’ support from the Congress, and that the party will have to be a part of the government. Sources in the JD(S) say that they also want an assurance from the Congress that they will have a pre-poll alliance ahead of the 2019 general elections.