BJP plan: To go for mid-term poll

Bengaluru: Riding high on its win of 25 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, the BJP  hopes to win over 170  seats in the state should a snap poll be held thanks to the prevailing Modi wave across the country and could swing into action if at least a dozen MLAs resign,  reducing the coalition government to a minority, according to sources.

Going by a senior JD(S) leader from North Karnataka,  the BJP's plan of action is simple. Once enough Congress and JD(S)  MLAs have resigned, it will approach the Governor to demand a floor test and if the coalition government fails to prove its majority, he will  be expected to recommend imposition of President's rule in the state. “Once they get a breather of five to six months, the BJP will prepare  for a mid-term poll highlighting the failures of the coalition government in the last year and PM  Modi will be invited to hold rallies to woo voters,” he said, adding that as the morale of the Congress and JD(S) workers had hit rock bottom following the drubbing they had received in the LS poll, they were in no position to face any election in the next couple of months.  Although the coalition partners have decided to brush aside all differences between them and are trying to douse dissidence by offering the posts of ministers to disgruntled MLAs, and releasing grants worth crores of rupees to their constituencies, he doesn't think this is likely to do the trick.

“Talks are also on to fill three vacancies in the Cabinet and induct new faces in place of senior ministers. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwar are  meeting the disgruntled MLAs one on one and are giving them whatever they want. But pleasing everyone is  inviting trouble. And dropping seniors to accommodate disgruntled legislators will open a pandora's box. Unfortunately, Mr Kumaraswamy is playing this game without taking any leader into confidence,” he regretted.