Congress for wait and watch situation, as BJP-JD (S) betrayal drama unfolds (lead: Karnataka)

The Congress party is keenly watching the political situation unfold in Bangalore after the BJP today announced withdrawing of support from the JD (S) led coalition in the State, citing betrayal by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy for not honouring the power-sharing agreement.

Bangalore/New Delhi, Oct 6 : The Congress party is keenly watching the political situation unfold in Bangalore after the BJP today announced withdrawing of support from the JD (S) led coalition in the State, citing 'betrayal' by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy for not honouring the power-sharing agreement.

However, the BJP is yet to meet the Governor of the State, Rameshwar Thakur, and hand him the letter of the withdrawal of support from the Kumaraswamy led Government.

Prithviraj Chavan, the central Congress leader in charge of the State, said that only after the BJP informs the Governor about withdrawing the support, the Congress would take a decision on its future plan.

"We are waiting. We have all heard the statements (BJP leaders announcing withdrawal of support)," Chavan said, adding, "I don't trust the BJP."

"Why don't they withdraw support today? The Leader of Opposition only has to go and give a letter to the Governor. He can do it immediately. He can do it tonight," he added.

The BJP has said that it would meet the Governor on Sunday and hand over the letter of withdrawal of support from the Kumaraswamy Government.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders of the State today met the Governor and urged him to intervene in the ongoing political crisis, as they believe that Chief Minister may not seek a vote of confidence in the Assembly, which will meet on October 18 for a trial of strength.

Congress holds a key political position in the State with its 65 members in the legislative Assembly, excluding the eight other members led by former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who broke away from the JD (S) to join Congress.

The party has the second highest number of seats in the 225-member State Assembly with the BJP being the single largest party in the State with 79 MLAs.

Kumaraswamy led JD (S) has officially 57 members in the legislature, but its strength is down to 48 after Siddaramaiah's defection, and requires support of another 65 members to reach the simple majority figure of 113 in the State Assembly. However, support from smaller parties and independents, if Kumaraswamy is able to garner it, only add to 17.

The weeklong war of words between the coalition partners became more prominent on Saturday, hours after late Friday night reconciliation meeting between the JD (S) and the BJP collapsed, and it became clear that JD (S) is not handing power to the BJP for the next 20 months, as was agreed between the two.

"This is a worst kind of betrayal in (the) political history of India. They will be taught a fatigued lesson" senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said, accusing Kumaraswamy of reneging on the power-sharing promise.

The JD (S) leaders, led by former Prime Minister H D Deva Gowda, have announced that their party will go for polls and have charged the BJP for trying to malign Deve Gowda and his family.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, Sitaram Yechury said polls are inevitable in the State, as the JD (S) has no other option than to go for elections.

"The parties in Karnataka will take decision to tackle the situation but keeping in mind the crisis, I don't think they have an option other than election," said Yechury.

ANI