Bengaluru: In the backdrop of resignations by 16 rebel Congress and the JD(S) MLAs to their membership, the 14-month-old JDS and the Congress coalition government has sought a confidence vote here on Thursday and the survival of the government is on thin edge.
According to the agenda of the Karnataka Assembly, Kumaraswamy will move 'confidence motion immediately after the house assembles at 11 AM.
With the ruling combination reduced 101 in the 224-member Assembly following the resignations of the rebel MLAs, Chief Minister and Congress leaders have made last bid efforts but it is falling short of as many as 12 MLAs to bail out his government. There is a nominated member also in the house who has the right to vote.
The Congress and the JD(S) leaders, in their bid to win back the rebel MLAs had so far succeeded in pursuing veteran leader and former minister Ramalinga Reddy, but anxiety among the ruling combine has been evident. Four of the rebel MLAs, who are very close to Reddy, may relent and support the government, sources said.
The move by the lone member belonging to the BSP, Mahesh, who had sought a separate seat in the assembly, is awaited. It remains to be seen whether he would support the government or remain neutral.
Two Independent MLAs, who are also ministers in the Kumaraswamy government, had withdrew their support to the coalition government and have extended their support to the BJP.
"I am waiting for the directions from our party supreme Mayavathi," the BSP member said.
Former Chief Minister and the Opposition leader in the Karnataka Assembly, B S Yeddyurappa, held meetings with the party who stayed at a resort. He worked out strategies to defeat the confidence motion in the House, party sources said.
The BJP which has strength of 105 in the house had secured the support of two Independent MLAs, and prima facie it appears that the Saffron party is all set to form the government if confidence motion was defeated.Elaborate security arrangements had been made to ensure the smooth conduct of the house.(UNI)