There is an 'atmosphere' for BJP to form govt in Karnataka: Yeddyurappa
Bengaluru, May 12: Once again triggering speculation about the longevity of the Congress-JD(S) coalition, Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa said Sunday there is an "atmosphere" for his party to form government in the state.
Stating that his party workers are fighting the by-polls for Kundgol and Chincholi assembly constituencies unitedly, the former state chief minister predicted BJP's victory on both the seats.
"I'm confident we will win this election easily with bigger margins. No BJP leader from any community despite they (Congress) trying to lure them, has switched sides. Whether Venugopal (AICC general secretary) or any one else comes, they cannot shake any of our karyakartas or leaders," Yeddyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, he said, "Our people are together and are united. At a time when there is an atmosphere for us to form government, at a time when we are confident of winning both the assembly segments, our karyakartas will not fall prey to any confusion. They (Congress) will fail if they make any attempt."
Yeddyurappa was responding to a question from reports that Congress leaders were trying to lure local BJP leaders in Kundgol, ahead of the by-polls.
He said, "Congress may be under the illusion of doing something with money power, but I'm confident we will win this election by earning the affection and trust of people."
Yeddyurappa's statement about the BJP forming government in the state gains significance following his comments of Friday that the longevity of the Congress-JD(S) coalition in the state would depend on the stand taken by about 20 "disgruntled" Congress legislators after the Lok Sabha election results are announced on May 23.
He has predicted changes favouring the BJP in the state, saying its tally in the assembly would increase with the win in the bypolls. He has also claimed to have the support of three independent and smaller party legislators.
The Karnataka assembly has 224 members, in which BJP has 104 MLAs, Congress-77, JD(S)-37, BSP 1, independent (1) (both currently supporting the ruling alliance), one KPJP, and the Speaker.
Two seats Chincholi and Kundgol are vacant, for which bypolls will be held on May 19.
There are already discussions within political circles that any adverse results for the ruling coalition in Lok Sabha polls, which they fought in alliance, would have implications on the state government.
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and JD(S) leaders are upset over some Congress legislators, including ministers, clamouring for CLP leader Siddaramaiah to become chief minister again.
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Nitish Kumar's son Nishant among 32 to take oath as Bihar ministers
Patna (PTI): In a major expansion of the Cabinet of Bihar's first BJP-led government, JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar's son Nishant Kumar and 31 others took oath as ministers on Thursday in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Altogether 32 leaders, drawn from all constituents of the five-party NDA in the state, were administered the oath of office by Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain at a grand ceremony that was also attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Health Minister J P Nadda and BJP president Nitin Nabin.
Prominent inductees included Nishant Kumar, the son of JD(U) president Nitish Kumar, who stepped down as chief minister last month to enter the Rajya Sabha.
The BJP, which is the single largest party in the 243-member assembly with 89 MLAs, has 15 ministers, who took oath on Thursday.
Most of the inductees were those who were part of the Nitish Kumar cabinet formed in November last year after the NDA stormed back to power in the assembly polls.
The JD(U) is represented by a total of 15 ministers, 13 of whom took the oath at the Gandhi Maidan on Thursday. Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav had taken oath in April along with Samrat Choudhary and were designated as deputy chief ministers.
Sanjay Kumar Singh and Sanjay Kumar Paswan, both from the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) headed by Union minister Chirag Paswan, are back as ministers, and so are Santosh Kumar Suman and Deepak Prakash, sons of Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi of the Hindustani Awam Morcha and Upendra Kushwaha of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha, respectively.
