Cong-JD(S) government in Karnataka may fall before year-end: BJP leader
Hyderabad: Senior BJP leader P Muralidhar Rao Monday said his party would not try to destabilise the Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka but indicated the coalition may fall before the year end.
The party general secretary in charge of Karnataka affairs said the BJP has maintained in the past year that the coalition government is not a stable one, it cannot survive and it would not last.
Rao, asked if the coalition government would last the calendar year 2019, told PTI here: "2019 itself may be a little longer; I don't know because things are not stable is the fact."
"New development has added to the problem", he said, obviously referring to the coalition worries that have been compounded by the BJP's spectacular performance, winning 25 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state, leaving a mere one each to the Congress and JD(S).
The BJP-backed independent Sumalatha had also won.
The BJP had won 104 seats in the Assembly elections last year and added one more to its tally in the bypolls held along with recent Lok Sabha elections.
The ruling combine has 117 members -- 78 of the Congress, 37 of the JD(S), one of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and one Independent.
"Basically, the government has become delegitimate, people have rejected it. Technically, as a combined force, they (Congress-JD-S) may say they have majority. But mandate is different, majority is different; so you are robbed off legitimacy," Rao said.
"Why we (BJP) should destabilise (the government) when people are not accepting (the coalition)? They do not have people's support, so don't you think within Congress and JD(S) people (MLAs) will be eager to get out?", he said.
Rao said it is not the responsibility of the BJP to keep the government in Karnataka going. "If anybody (MLAs of the ruling coalition) comes out, should I not meet? I am not doing any special game (not destabilising)," he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Easter celebrated with zeal across Goa; devotees throng churches
Panaji (PTI): Goa erupted in festive joy on Sunday, as thousands of devotees thronged churches and chapels across the coastal state to celebrate Easter, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ with midnight vigils and traditional feasts.
From the historic cathedrals of Old Goa to small chapels in Salcete and Bardez, thousands of devotees attended midnight and morning services to witness the blessing of the Paschal candle, marking the end of the 40-day Lenten fast.
In many villages, the festival also heralds the season of feasts in churches and community festivities, a cherished cultural tradition in the coastal state.
Streets around major churches teemed with vehicles, causing heavy traffic as worshippers and visitors attended services.
Priests, in their Easter homilies, emphasised hope, renewal and compassion, urging the faithful to carry the spirit of sacrifice and resurrection into their daily lives.
Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant extended warm greetings to the people of Goa.
Easter symbolises hope, renewal and the triumph of life over adversity, Raju said.
The governor, in his message, stated that the festival commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, reminding people of the values of compassion, forgiveness and faith, which are essential for building a harmonious and inclusive society.
The chief minister described Easter as a celebration of new beginnings, brotherhood and humanity.
The festival carries a deeper message of faith and hope, he said, appealing to the people to live out that message through acts of love and service.
VIDEO | Goa: Midnight Easter mass held at Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 5, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC) pic.twitter.com/rTSrWuaKae
