Monday (September 24) being the last day to file the nominations for the byelections to the Karnataka Legislative Council (Upper House ) for the three seats, surprisingly the Opposition BJP has decided not to file papers. The byelections for the council will be held on October 4 for three vacant seats.
The BJP took the decision following lack of strength to win the election. In the 224 member House the BJP has 104, while JDS-Congress, which have joined hands to form the coalition Government, put together have 117 MLAs. However the rumour mill was abuzz that BJP tried to lure Independent and disgruntled MLAs of JDS and Congress but failed in its effort to garner support for a candidate.
This made the saffron party to backtrack from the council polls which is seen as crucial as the political situation is fluid and uncertain.
Former Minister Nazir Ahmed and M C Venugopal of the Congress and Ramesh Babu of JDS have filed their nominations on the last day clearing way for their unanimous election.
Monday was the last date for filing nomination.
The BJP State President B S Yeddyurappa, though the party had emerged as single largest party by winning 104 seats in the May 12 Assembly election and swearing in as Chief Minister, had to step down as he could not muster magic number of 113 to prove majority on the floor of the House within 24 hours as directed by Supreme Court . The Congress moved the Apex Court for its intervention.
JDS and Congress joined hands and formed the Government to keep the saffron party away. However BJP under its strongman BS Yeddyurappa is still trying for operation lotus to poach disgruntled MLAs from both the Congress and the JDs. This has escalated the war of words between Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy who is heading a fragile coalition with the Congress and BJP Lingayat strongman BS Yeddyurappa.
The seats had fallen vacant following resignation of Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara (Cong), Opposition Leader in the Legislative Council K S Eshwarappa and V Somanna (both BJP), on being elected to the Legislative Assembly. It is said that in the process of the political development former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who is calling shot has succeeded in nominating his candidates to the council. This shows he still controls the party and the coalition Government banks on him.
The byelection was originally scheduled for October 3 but was deferred by a day to October 4 due to the General Holidays of Muharram on September 21 and 4th Saturday of September 22 and September 23 being Sunday effectively curtailing the number of days available for the candidates to file their nomination papers.
New schedule was announced by fixing last date for filing nomination on September 24, scrutiny on September 25, last date for withdrawal of nominations is September 27 and polling on October 4. Counting of votes will be taken up on the same day 5pm onward.
