BJP May Consider Moving No-Confidence Motion If Cong Power Tussle Continues: Basavaraj Bommai

Haveri (Karnataka): Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said that if the power struggle in the Congress continues, the opposition BJP in the state may consider moving a no-confidence motion in the Assembly.

The BJP leader also predicted that a ‘dark horse’ may enter the race following the fight between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar for the CM post.

Haveri BJP MP said the Congress high command has suggested two to three formulas to resolve the deadlock on the leadership issue.

“If the Congress party’s infighting for the chief minister and deputy chief minister posts continues like this, there is a possibility of political turmoil in the state. Although senior Congress leaders at the Center suggested two to three formulas to resolve the issue, none of the leaders agreed to these formulas. There is information that a new formula is being prepared, leaving both aside. There is a possibility of a dark horse entering the race,” Bommai told reporters here in Haveri.

The MP said the contest for the top post within the Congress has intensified and the Congress high command is helpless.

“The administration in the state has completely collapsed. Farmers in the state are in trouble, development works have come to a halt. Both leaders have treated this as a matter of prestige. If the same situation continues, there is a possibility of political instability in the state.”

According to him, anything can happen in state politics.

“A horse that is not currently visible may appear. The horse seen in the photo will not run. Anything can happen in the state,” he said.

When asked during the Belagavi session of the legislature whether the BJP would move a no-confidence motion against the state government, he said, “There is time till December 8. If such a situation arises, there may be an opportunity to move a no-confidence motion.”

Responding to State Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi’s remarks that horse trading is the business of the BJP and not the Congress, Bommai said, “Congress was interested in horse trading since 1969. Jarkiholi was not even in politics then. This will be clearly evident if one looks at the history of the Congress. Don’t they remember that DK Shivakumar brought in all the Maharashtra MLAs and kept Vilasrao Deshmukh in check?” “control?” he asked.

Replying to a question about the state government blaming the Center for the purchase of maize, he said, “It is wrong to try to put the blame only on the Centre. They themselves do not have money. The Prime Minister has ordered to purchase 10 lakh metric tonnes. Why are they not purchasing? Why has no agency been finalized? Why has the money not been released? They are trying to evade their own responsibility.”