Session amid shadow of instability

Bengaluru: The BJP's threat to de-stabilise the coalition government seems to have cast a shadow over the budget session of the state legislature that begins on Wednesday as it has been shortened to a record nine days and will end on February 14.

While the session will kick off with the Governor's address to the joint session of the state legislature, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy is expected to  present the state budget on Friday.

While both coalition partners have maintained all along that any attempt by the BJP to destabilise the government will fail, they have been carrying out fire-fighting exercises behind the scenes to make sure all their legislators attend the session.

Former Chief Minister and  Congress Legislature Party leader, Siddaramaiah, personally called nearly 20 MLAs, who the party suspects may play spoilsport, on Monday and requested them to attend the session to make sure the budget is passed, according to party sources. He also reportedly hosted a dinner for the legislators and other leaders on the eve of the  budget session on Tuesday.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy too has tried to keep the disgruntled MLAs of the Congress in good humour.  The Congress has already issued a whip to all its MLAs to attend the entire session till the budget is passed, warning them of disciplinary action if they don't. But the party is said to be unsure if four of its unhappy MLAs, Ramesh Jarkiholi, B. Nagendra, Mahesh Kumatalli and J.N. Krishna will fall in line.

Meanwhile, Ramanagara Superintendent of Police, Ramesh B, met Assembly Speaker  Ramesh Kumar and sought his permission to arrest Kampli Congress MLA, J.N. Ganesh, when he comes to attend the session. A case of attempt to murder was registered against Mr Ganesh after he attacked  Hosapete MLA, Anand Singh at the Eagleton Resort last month.