BJP's back off a relief for coalition partners

The BJP’s decision not to contest the byelections for the three seats in the Legislative Council has come as a big relief to the coalition partners - the JD(S) and the Congress. The Congress, especially, was jittery that a section of disgruntled legislators who had threatened to rebel, might cross-vote in the byelections. The BJP’s move not to contest is an indication that the party was not confident of having the numbers to scuttle the bypolls and thereby, rock the government.

Trouble was brewing for the Congress from various quarters, including the Jarhikoli brothers – Ramesh and Satish - in Belagavi district and their supporters. In Ballari district, at least three legislators had dropped indications that they would quit the party and jump to the BJP. Down south, Hoskote MLA M T B Nagaraj, Chikkaballapur MLA K Sudhakar and Mulbagal MLA H Nagesh (Independent, supporting Congress) left for Chennai on Saturday leading to speculations about their future moves. These legislators were either unhappy with the developments in the party or disgruntled that there were not given Cabinet berths.

 

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