Will they or won't they?
With October 3 being the official date for the Janatha Dal-Secular to transfer power to the Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka, it becomes more and more confusing whether the transfer of power will be a smooth affair or not.
Going by what Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has to say, it seems as though power will be transferred to the BJP as was promised when the coalition was formed in Karnataka.
Kumaraswamy says that there is no doubt that power will be transferred. The CM also says that he will stick to his promise, but is quick to add, "I will keep up my word even though everyone wants me to continue as the chief minister."
Kumaraswamy however did not specify who in the BJP would be made the chief minister. At present, Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader B S Yediyurappa is pitched to be the next chief minister. Sources in the BJP say that there seems to be a tussle with one faction not wanting Yediyurappa to take over.
When the coalition was formed, Kumaraswamy had indicated that the two parties could battle the next elections together. However there seems to be a cloud over that promise with the JD-S supreme stating that the two parties will not battle it out in the upcoming local body polls in Karnataka. Although Gowda has made it clear that this decision will not have any bearing on state government, it becomes clear that the JD-S is not keen on pursuing its alliance with the BJP. The coalition government will continue for some more time only because it suits both the parties at the moment as both are not confident to face the elections.
It is being stated that the alliance with the BJP has hurt the JD-S as the latter could lose the minority votes.
Moreover, Gowda's alliance with the CPI-M could have also taken a beating due to this alliance.
The BJP leaders however prefer to stay mum on this issue. B S Yediyurappa has refused to speak on the subject until October 3. Sources close to Kumaraswamy say that all the CM is asking the BJP is to be patient. "They cannot expect an assurance every day. The CM has asked them to remain quiet and not talk until power is transferred," the source also added.
Meanwhile there were rumours stating that Yediyurappa himself was making an attempt to join the JD-S and had met Deve Gowda in this regard.
However senior BJP leader, Govind Kajrol rubbished this. He said that Yediyurappa will never leave the party.