With the hopes of transfer of power receding, BJP ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, stayed away from the Cabinet meeting convened by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday.

Mr Yediyurappa, who had invited his party ministers for a breakfast meeting, later told reporters the BJP was ready for elections if JD(S) refused to hand over power.

He said Mr Gowda had levelled some serious allegations against him but he had maintained silence for longevity of the government.

According to party sources, the BJP is planning to activate its booth-level committees for a padayatra campaign to carry the message of “betrayal.”

Party sources ruled out the central leadership accepting any conditions on the transfer of power. “It’s either abiding by the power-sharing agreement arrived at 20 months ago or quits,” sources added. A majority of BJP legislators too are in favour of withdrawing support to JD (S), it is said.

If talks fail, the BJP will convene its legislature party meeting and resolve to withdraw its support to JD (S).
Soon after, the party president will meet the Governor and convey the resolution of the BJPLP. It is learnt the party will try to consolidate its Lingayat vote base by launching a campaign against JD (S) for denying Mr Yediyurappa (a Lingayat) an opportunity to occupy chief minister’s post.

Meanwhile, the BJP is ready to go public with its list of charges against the JD (S).

The list will be released to substantiate the party’s stand if it decides to withdraw support to the JD (S). The list includes betrayal of promise, unilateral decisions by the JD (S) in appointing members to the co-operative bodies and KPSC.