Siddaramaiah predicts fall of BJP govt, mid-term polls in Karnataka

Expressing confidence that Congress would win all 15 constituencies in coming bypolls in Karnataka, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday predicted collapse of BJP government and possibility of mid-term polls in state.

Calling Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa a "weak Chief Minister", Congress Legislature Party leer said he feels "pity" for him.

"BJP has formed government with support of 105 MLAs. y don't have 113 MLAs. It is a mirity government, that too formed immorally by luring Congress-JD(S) legislators. government was t formed with public mandate," Siddaramaiah said. Speaking to reporters in Raichur, he sought to kw how government would survive if Congress wins all 15 seats.

"re are n chances that election (mid-term polls) may come," Siddaramaiah ded.

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Karnataka bypolls

bypolls to 15 of 17 seats represented by disqualified MLAs, which Election Commission h earlier decided to defer until Supreme Court decides on ir plea, challenging ir disqualification, has w been scheduled for December 5.

15 constituencies that will go to polls are Athani, Kagw, Gokak, Yellapura, Hirekerur, Ranibennur, Vijaynagara, Chickballapura, K R Pura, Yeshwanthpura, Mahalakshmi Layout, Shivajinagara,Hosakote, K R Pete and Hunsur. Among 15 constituencies, 12 wererepresented by Congress and three by JD(S). Winning most seats in coming by-elections is crucial for BJP to stay in power.

ruling BJP party has 105 MLAs (including one independent) in assembly, whose currentstrength is 208 (after 17 disqualifications). While Congress' strength is 66, JD(S) has 34 MLAs in assembly, that also consists of one BSP member, a minated member and Speaker. actual strength of assembly is 225 and half way mark is 113. BJP will need to win at least six seatsin bypolls for 15 constituencies to remain in majority in assembly, which will still have two vacant seats (Maskiand R R Nagar).

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"Yediyurappa doesn't have cour to go to Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seek central relief for flood. At least if he takes us to m,we will raise our voices. That's why I have said Yediyurappa is a weak Chief Minister. I feel pity for him, he is being tortured. Hisfears have been clipped by central leers (BJP)," he said.

Questioning wher Yediyurappa government was functioning, he said he was t aware if re were any ministers in it, as y were "t to be seen."

One of m was camping at Mysuru to oversee Dasara festival in that city, he said. Karnataka has sent a flood dam estimate of Rs 35,160.81 crore to centre and is waiting for relief. As many as 103 taluks in 22 districts were affecteddue to floods last month, in which over 80 people were killed. Around seven lakh people were shifted to safe areas and tens of thousands of houses were damd. 

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