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BJP to form its first Government in the South

	November 12, 2007

ABJP-led coalition government is expected to assume office in Karnataka today, Nov. 12, the first time the BJP will be heading a government in the south. Reports say that a two-member Ministry headed by B.S. Yediyurappa of the BJP will be sworn in. Along with Yediyurappa, a nominee chosen by the Janata Dal (Secular) will take oath as Deputy Chief Minister.



The Ministry would be expanded after the coalition government proves its majority in the State Assembly.



Reports say that prospects of two or three more Ministers from both parties being inducted into the cabinet today cannot be ruled out. The Assembly is likely to be convened within a week to enable the government to prove its majority.



BJP state unit president D.V. Sadananda Gowda said that with today’s swearing in, the party would realise its long-time ambition. He said the BJP always looked at Karnataka as the Gateway to South India.



Earlier last week, the curtain came down on the month long Karnataka political drama after the Centre on Nov. 8 decided to revoke President’s Rule in Karnataka, clearing the decks for the formation of the first BJP-led Government in South India.



Ending the suspense nearly two weeks after the estranged allies, the BJP and the JDS, in a dramatic about-turn, again joined hands to stake a claim to government formation, the Manmohan Singh Cabinet took this decision at its meeting on Nov. 8, two days after State Governor Rameshwar Thakur submitted his final report on the state’s political crisis to the Centre.



The proposal of the Union Home Ministry on the Karnataka Governor’s recommendation on the issue was discussed at the Cabinet meeting following which Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said : “After considering the report and after taking into account all

facts and circumstances, the Cabinet has decided to recommend to the President that the President’s Rule may be revoked.” Chidambaram added that the Cabinet also decided that the Governor may be advised to invite B.S. Yediyurappa, the BJP’s chief-ministerial

candidate, to form the Government.



The BJP welcomed the Centre’s move, but said the step lacked “grace” because it came after “inordinate and unnecessary” delay.



“It is a historic day because the BJP is getting an opportunity to form its government in South India,especially in the politically important state of Karnataka,” the BJP vice president in charge of Karnataka Affairs, Yashwant Sinha said.



The BJP downplayed the JDS chief H.D. Deve Gowda’s fresh bid to turn the heat on the BJP through his tough 12-point MoU, saying the coalition will learn lessons from the past experience and pointing out that JDS leader H.D. Kumaraswamy, has made it clear that

his party its support to the BJP is “unconditional.” On the delay, Sinha said, “it was avoidable.” “It could have been done in three days instead of 13 days. I feel the decision could have been taken more speedily and with grace.



The Congress had all along pressed for dissolution of the Assembly to pave the way for fresh polls.



Governor convinced of BJP-JDS majority, but not its stability



In his final report submitted to the Manmohan Singh Government on Tuesday, Nov. 6, Governor Rameshwar Thakur is learnt to have said that he was convinced about the majority support of the JDS-BJP combine, but had doubts about the longevity of the

arrangement. He said there is complete lack of trust between the two parties and such a combine cannot provide stability.



On Nov. 6 itself, the JDS-BJP combine presented 125 MLAs before President Pratibha Patil to show that it enjoyed the support of a majority of legislators. The combine submitted a memorandum to President Pratibha Patil terming the delay on the part of the

Governor and the Centre in revoking President’s Rule as malafide. The two parties urged the President to use her good offices to persuade the UPA Government to revoke President’s Rule and swear in a popular government in Karnataka led by BJP’s Yediyurappa.