April 24, 2024

It is acceptable for two parties who did not have a pre-poll alliance and fought against each other in the elections to come together and form the government if no other party has more seats than them individually. But in Karnataka, the BJP has emerged as the single largest party with a handsome margin and has fallen just short of majority. It has been the custom in India to first invite the single largest party (in case of Karnataka, the BJP has 106 seats to Congress’ 75 and JD(S)’s 40 and even these figures are not final yet) to attempt to form the government. If it fails, only then is an alternative thought of. Yet, the Congress, outplayed by the BJP in Goa, Meghalaya and other states, has been prompt in extending support to the JD(S) in an effort to keep the BJP out.The JD(S) has accepted the offer and might stake claim to form the government.

Siddaramaiah is expected to meet the state governor at 4pm and Kumaraswany will meet him at 6 pm. While Sidda will definitely offer his resignation and tell the governor about his party’s support for the JD(S), Kumaraswamy will stake claim, armed with the letter of support from the Congress. Both the parties are acting with haste because they are aware that the BJP is not going to sit idle. They are also scared of poaching. With BJP just a few seats from majority, it will need to snare just 5-8 MLA’s to form the government. In such a scenario, two independents might support the BJP and it might poach 3-4 from the JD(S). Remember, two seats have not voted and R R Nagar will vote on May 28th while the dates for the polling in Jayanagar have not been announced. Now it all depends on how the governor Vajubhai Vala responds. Will he allow Congress-JD(S) to form the government or will he invite BJP first as it is the single largest party? We have to wait for the governor’s decision.