K'taka BJP legislature party meeting on Nov 17, likely to elect its LoP in assembly: BY Vijayendra
Bengaluru, Oct 15: Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra on Wednesday said that the Legislature Party meeting is scheduled to take place on November 17, during which the election of its leader, who will also be the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, is likely to be announced.
Earlier in the day, Vijayendra formally took charge as the state BJP president.
"The Legislature Party meeting is scheduled for 6 PM on Friday. Central observers will be coming. According to information, two observers will be coming. We will get to know tomorrow, as to who will be coming," Vijayendra said in response to a question.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, the Leader of Opposition is likely to be announced on the same day, based on the opinion of all the legislators, in the presence of Central observers.
The BJP, which is the principal opposition party in the state, has not appointed its legislature party leader yet, who will also play the role of the Leader of Opposition in the assembly.
The previous assembly session in July was held without the Leader of the Opposition.
In the elections to the 224-member assembly held in May this year, the Congress ousted the BJP from power with a landslide victory. The Congress got 135 seats, the BJP 66 and the JD(S) 19.
The BJP legislature party meeting to elect its new leader is taking place ahead of the winter session of the state legislature in Belagavi, from December 4.
The party had been facing intense criticism from the ruling Congress for its inability to make an appointment to the post, and there was disgruntlement within the party over the delay.
Stating that he has sought appointment from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vijayendra said, after getting the appointment, he will be visiting New Delhi, during which he will also meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party's national president J P Nadda and party's general secretary (Organisation) B L Santosh, and seek their blessings.
Responding to a question about Congress criticising his appointment by pointing at the alleged disgruntlement within the BJP, he said, "...we will reply to their criticism in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls."
The BJP last week appointed Vijayendra, the younger son of veteran leader and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, as its state unit president. He was until now the state vice president of the party.
The 47-year-old, who is the first time MLA from Shikaripura in Shivamogga district has replaced Nalin Kumar Kateel, a three-time Lok Sabha member from Dakshina Kannada, who had completed his three-year term as the BJP state president, and was given an extension last year in view of the impending assembly elections.
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Vijay unable to prove majority, not invited for CM oath ceremony: Sources
Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay has reportedly not been invited to take oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after failing to demonstrate support from the required number of MLAs, sources in Raj Bhavan said.
According to media reports that quoted sources in the office of R.N. Ravi Arlekar, Vijay could not prove the backing of 118 legislators, the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Despite last-minute efforts to secure support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam (AMMK), and an IUML legislator, Vijay reportedly managed support from only 116 MLAs, falling short by two members.
Sources said Vijay failed to submit letters of support from the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Later, the IUML issued a statement clarifying that it was not part of the TVK-led alliance.
Meanwhile, AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran is also said to have informed the Governor that his party would support the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) instead.
Earlier in the evening, Vijay had met Governor Arlekar and staked claim to form the government, stating that he enjoyed the support of 118 MLAs.
