Karnataka has been bitten by the Twenty20 bug. Not cricket's 20 overs-a-side version, but the 20 month-each power sharing agreement between the Janata Dal United and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Both parties are talking about the T-20 commitment which has to be honoured before power is actually transferred.
On Tuesday, when Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy refused to hand over the reins of the state to the BJP, the BJP legislators, lead by B S Yediyurappa, handed over their resignations.
Yediyurappa and his party MLAs before tendering their resignation had submitted this letter, where without mincing words, they let the JD-S know what they think of it.
Read on:
On a historic occasion, 20 months ago the BJP and the JD-S, under the banner of the Karnataka Development Front and formed the coalition in Karnataka. The process of development got a new thrust under the Common Minimum Programme. We had development as a prime objective. Through our two budgets many novel projects were implemented. We thank you for the opportunity given to us to serve the people and be partners.
We would like to draw your attention to the agreement and the focal point of the agreement is that out of the 40 months that was available for our government, both parties had to share the post of Chief Minister equally.
According the agreement you (Kumaraswamy) were allowed to be CM for 20 months and now it is the turn of B S Yediyurappa to become the CM. The agreement also made it mandatory that the portfolios of the ministers held by the BJP will be transferred to you and vice versa. It is appropriate that you (Kumaraswamy) demit office and allow B S Yediyurappa to assume the office of the Chief Minister.
Hence we request you to tender your resignation to the governor of Karnataka and hand over the letter of support so as to facilitate the appointment of Yediyurappa as the CM. It should be done forthwith to avoid any possible constitutional crisis. Public life is built on edifice of mutual trust. We appeal to you to honour and abide by the agreement. This is the true wish of the people of Karnataka. I hope that the resignation and letter of support will reach the governor by today, ie October 2 2007.
We herewith enclose the letter of resignation of Yediyurappa from the post of deputy CM and also the resignation letters of all other ministers from the BJP, so as to enable you to effect the transfer of power. We seek your (Kumaraswamy) cooperation for the next 20 months.