New Delhi, January 19
The Congress high command has instructed its Karnataka leaders to try for a patch-up with the Janata Dal (Secular) even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the immediate convening of the state Assembly for trial of strength and Left parties have decried efforts to topple the state government.
Karnataka Chief Minister Dharam Singh and PCC chief Mallikarjun Kharge have been asked to get in touch with JD(S) leaders in an effort to save the government.
Several options are being discussed. One option is to agree to lend outside support to a JD(S)-led government. The other is to accede to JD(S) demands, including severing ties with rebel leader Siddharamaiah.
It is being suggested that in case the Congress is unable to save the government, efforts be made to stop the JD(S) from forming one, paving the way for the dissolution of the Assembly, the imposition of President’s rule and a mid-term poll.
Meanwhile, the BJP termed the Karnataka Governor’s decision to give nine days to the state government to prove its majority as a grave constitutional error.
The CPM politburo said in a press note that the action by a group of MLAs of the JD(S) in joining hands with the BJP was betrayal of their party’s commitment to the people of Karnataka.
