Karnataka assembly byelections: HD Kumaraswamy again offers support to BJP, but BS Yediyurappa dismisses idea

BENGALURU: JD(S) leader and former chief minister HD Kumaraswamy reiterated that he will extend support to chief minister BS Yediyurappa if the BJP fails to secure the minimum six seats it requires to stay in power in the December 5 byelections to 15 seats. Yediyurappa, however, rejected the offer and pitched instead for “Congress-JD(S)- mukt Karnataka”.
“There is no question of midterm elections as the JD(S) is willing to support the BJP government to avoid imposition of yet another election on people,” Kumaraswamy said at a public rally in Vijayanagara, Ballari, on Monday.
Kumaraswamy had offered support to the BJP previously too, in a bid to prevent several leaders from his party switching sides. As if on cue on Monday, BJP state general secretary Arvind Limbavali hinted that the exodus of opposition MLAs into the BJP will continue, saying several JD(S) legislators were in touch with his party.
Reacting to Kumaraswamy’s offers of support, Limbavali, also the party’s convener for the bypolls, said it shows their “insecurity”.
Meanwhile, rejecting the offer, Yediyurappa said his government doesn’t need any party’s support since he is confident of winning all 15 byelection seats.
Speaking at a rally in Vijayanagara, Yediyurappa said, “If we have to make it Congressmukt Bharat then it should be Congress mukt Karnataka first. It should begin here. That’s our bypoll motto.”
However, Congress Legsilature Party leader and leader of the opposition in the assembly Siddaramaiah ruled out the possibility of JD(S) joining hands with the BJP and predicted midterm polls in the state.
“I am sure the JD(S) will not support the BJP,” Siddaramaiah said. “I know the party inside out since I was associated with it for a long time. I know their mindset. Seeking a fresh mandate may become inevitable.”
Siddaramaiah insisted fresh polls are a distinct possibility in the event of the BJP not winning the required number of seats to keep it in power. “They will have to resign,” Siddaramaiah said.
Siddaramaiah also criticised the way the BJP grabbed power, toppling the JD(S)-Congress coalition government. “What the BJP did was unethical,” he said. “They poached 17 MLAs from the Congress and JD(S) and formed the government. That is why we are now having bypolls to 15 constituencies. The BJP will suffer a setback.”
On whether he will become chief minister if the BJP government falls, Siddaramaiah said the high command and the legislature party will decide.