Karnataka BJP rushes to dismiss claims of coup against CM Yediyurappa; 'govt rock solid'

BJP spokesperson G. Madhusudhana on Tuesday said that Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) government in Karnataka is as solid as rock and re is rebellion. This statement comes after an alleged rift erupted after  cabinet expansion under Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa that took place in first week of February. 

While 10 MLAs including Ramesh Jarkiholi, Anand Singh, K Sudhakar, and BA Basavaraja took oath as cabinet ministers at Raj Bhawan in Bengaluru, new MLAs who joined BJP after y deserted previous JDS-Congress government did t get a berth.

Speaking to a news daily, G. Madhusudhana said that thing can make government unstable as party has its own strength. He furr added that re is chance of  displacement of government. 

Earlier sources had said that disgruntled leaders had a meeting at BJP minister Jagadish Shettar's residence on Monday.  However, Madhusudhana said that he has kwledge about  MLAs' meeting at Jagdish Shettar's home. He said re is alternative to BJP in state as well as Centre.

READ: Karnataka Goverr Vajubhai Vala lauds govt's handling of natural calamities

Education Minister accuses opposition of cheap political tricks

Meanwhile, Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar said this could be handiwork of opposition parties and added that opposition is resorting to all sorts of cheap political tricks.  Furrmore, Sudhakar said that all BJP leaders in Karnataka have highest trust and faith in Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa.

However, as per sources, Yediyurappa is likely to expand his cabinet again. Sources also say that ar coup can happen that might result in fall of Yediyurappa government.

READ: 'Govt committed in promoting such athletes': Karnataka CM hours Kambala jockey Gowda

Cabinet expansion

In July this year, 14 MLAs from Congress and 3 from JDS quit Assembly. As 17 rebels stayed away from Assembly, Congress-JD-S government fell during a trust vote on July 23, as a result of which BJP government under Yediyurappa was formed on July 26. However, on July 25 and 28, n-Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar issued two orders under anti-defection law, disqualifying 17 MLAs from House and barring m from contesting elections during tenure of current Assembly. MLAs n moved Supreme Court asking that Speaker’s orders be quashed. Congress and JD(S) too approached court. 

In a big relief to 17 disqualified MLAs, Supreme Court on vember 13 said that MLAs can contest upcoming by-polls in state. Supreme Court upheld decision of disqualification of MLAs by speaker. However, apex court struck down period of disqualification. Out of 15 state assembly constituencies where bypolls were held, BJP had won 12 seats, Congress had won 2 and JDS drew a blank.

READ: Stormy first session of Karnataka legislature likely on Monday

READ: Rift in Karnataka BJP as new MLAs disgruntled over Yediyurappa's cabinet expansion