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BJP front will need only three votes if Jaya ditches it and steps in

The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government is just three short of a simple majority in the Lok Sabha if the All India Anna DMK withdrew support, provided Jayalalitha's allies remained with the government and support is secured from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

While the DMK chief M Karunanidhi had stated yesterday that the BJP government should be allowed to run its full term, an indication that he might support the government, Jayalalitha's allies, the Marumalarchi DMK, the Pattali Makkal Katchi and the Tamizhaga Rajiv Congress do not appear to toe her line on the question of withdrawal of support.

The ruling BJP-led coalition at present enjoys the support of 279 members in the Lok Sabha. The coalition has 267 MPs on its own, besides the issue-based support from 12 Telugu Desam Party members. Their number would come down to 261 if the 18-member AIADMK alone chose to withdraw support.

But, if the six member DMK group chose to support the government, its tally could swell to 267, five short of the simple majority of 272 in a 544-member Lok Sabha. Parliamentary affairs ministry sources said if the government manages to secure support of three more members, under the present political situation, it could comfortably sail through in a confidence vote.

The break-up of the ruling coalition in the Lok Sabha is: BJP 181, AIADMK 18, Samata Party 12, Biju Janata Dal 9, Shiromani Akali Dal 8, Trinamul Congress 7, Shiv Sena 6, PMK 4, MDMK 3, Lok Shakthi 3, Haryana Vikas Party 1, Arunachal Congress 2, Independents (pre-poll alliance partners) 3, nominated 2, Haryana Lok Dal 4 and members from north-east supporting the government 4, and the TDP 12.

The Congress and its allies account for 149, while the United Front has 67 members. The National Democratic Front floated by Mulayam Singh Yadav has 38 members while others (Independents) account for 11 members.

The government had secured the support of 275 members during the confidence motion moved by Vajpayee on March 28 while the Opposition's tally was 260.

UNI

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