It looked as though the Congress made a futile attempt to from the government. The efforts, at the end of the day, fell short with the drama finally pegged to two possibilities: a return of the JD(S)-BJP coalition or President’s Rule in the State.

In a show of strength, Congress leaders called on the Governor in the morning, seeking immediate dismissal of the H D Kumaraswamy government. The party’s State in-charge Prithviraj Chauhan called on the Governor twice during the day before returning to Delhi. Chauhan, who was tipped to address the media in the evening, chose to give it a skip, summing up the dampened mood in the Congress camp.

After the BJP formally pulled out of the government on Sunday, the Congress had started nursing hopes of mustering the required numbers to form a new government. Some of the leaders had also dropped hints on possibilities of forming a government with the JD(S) support.

However, the mood at the Kumarakrupa Guest House, where many leaders were camping, had turned sour as reports of a possible JD(S)-BJP reunion started coming in. Leaders were cagey in their responses and said they were “watching” the developments. “The KPCC president will react on Tuesday,” party General Secretary Ramachandrappa said.

The Congress had kicked off fresh attempts to assume power to keep at bay the BJP, who had ensured a “sympathy-based” support base following the JD(S)’ refusal to hand over power. Sources said the leaders were not keen on mid-term polls.

Dismissal sought
Earlier in the day, the leaders sought a review of decisions taken by the State Cabinet during the past two months. Speaking to reporters after calling on the Governor, they said despite the government having been reduced to a “minority” status, JD(S) Ministers continued to clear proposals for various projects.

“We have sought the Governor’s intervention in ensuring a review of all decisions taken by this government in the past two months,” KPCC president Mallikarjuna Kharge said.

He claimed that the CM was nominating people to co-operative bodies and clearing reservation for posts in the urban local bodies. “These decisions are invalid, considering that there’s no government here in the first place,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly N Dharam Singh slammed the “unholy” coalition government and also dismissed claims made by the government with regard to developmental projects.

Senior leader Siddaramaiah said the Chief Minister should have resigned immediately after the BJP pulled out of the government. “Papers are still being signed and files cleared from the Vidhana Soudha and Ministers’ houses,” he said.