BS Yeddyurappa will be sworn in as the new Karnataka CM at 9.30am on Thursday with Karnataka Governor Valubhai Vala inviting the BJP to form the government first, ahead of the other claimant - the JDS-Congress combine. The governor has given the BJP 15 days to prove it has a majority in a floor test. The governor took the decision after consulting with former Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi, who favoured inviting the single largest party first, in this case the BJP. The JDS and Congress had met the governor at the Raj Bhavan in the evening when Vala had assured he will consult legal experts and consider the precedents of Goa and Manipur.
The JDS-Congress combine has 117 MLAs, well clear of the magic mark. The Congress is expected to address a press conference soon. The party has previously said that it would move the Supreme Court if denied the chance to form the government first.