After Bellary battle, BJP govt set to face floor test?

JD(S) sources claim around 25 BJP MLAs are in talks with HD Kumaraswamy, who may pull the plug on DV Sadananda Gowda govt after the bypoll result is out

After Bellary battle, BJP govt set to face floor test?

JD(S) sources claim around 25 BJP MLAs are in talks with HD Kumaraswamy, who may pull the plug on DV Sadananda Gowda govt after the bypoll result is out

The D V Sadanada Gowda government is likely to face a floor test post Bellary (rural) bypoll.

According to highly-placed sources in the JD(s), around 25 dissident BJP MLAs, who are in talks with H D Kumaraswamy, may withdraw their support to the government, prompting Governor H R Bharadwaj to call for a trust motion.

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D V Sadanada Gowda and H D Kumaraswamy

As the winter session of the assembly beings in the first week of December, the House is likely to witness some high-voltage drama, particularly in the aftermath of Bellary battle.

The winter session also assumes significance because it will the first time when Sadananda Gowda will take part in the House proceedings as the chief minister after he took over the mantle of the state from scam-tainted Yeddyurappa in August.

According to political observers, an open show of affection and loyalty for rebel Sriramaulu by its own MLAs and MPs has put the party in a fix.

If BJP MLAs, including G Somashekar Reddy, Suresh Babu and Nagendra, and MPs like J Shantha and Sanna Phakeerappa are canvassing for Sriramulu to ensure defeat of the party's official candidate Gadilingappa.

The BJP is already batting on a sticky wicket in Bellary in a fix now. If it takes disciplinary action against the offenders, they may dump the party and join hands with the JD(S) and topple the government. And if it does not take any action at all, it will send out a wrong message to the party's rank and file.

However, K S Eswarappa, BP state president, said that the issue of anti-party activities by a few party members would be addressed after the electoral process is over in Bellary.

"If Sriramulu wins the BJP will try to convince him and bring him back to the parent party. And if he refuses to oblige, the government will surely be in deep trouble," said a senior BJP leader.

While it is likely that Sriramulu may dictate his terms if he returns to the BJP, the JD(S) is leaving no stone unturned to upset the apple of cart for Sadnanda Gowda.

The JD(S) has not fielded its candidate and extended unconditional support to Sriramulu. JD(S) State President H D Kumarswamy is also expected to campaign for Sriramulu.

He has, however, deputed confidant MLA Zamir Ahmed Khan to campaign for the former BJP minister. Clarifying his party's stand on rumours of poaching BJP MLAs, Kumarswamy said, "We are not interested in toppling the government. It is not true that we are talking to the BJP MLAs, though."

Nineteen BJP MLAs, instigated by the JD(S), had written to the governor seeking to withdraw their support to the B S Yeddyurappa government in October 2010, forcing the then CMto take floor tests twice in a gap of two days. The BJP somehow managed to retain the seat as the then Speaker disqualified rebel MLAs.