Another coup in the works?

Rumblings in the Congress-JD(S) coalition have begun again with some dissident legislators reportedly hobnobbing with the BJP.

This received credence with Forest Minister Satish Jarkiholi’s reported statement that his brother, Belagavi strongman Ramesh Jarkiholi would soon lead yet another coup to topple the coalition government.

Satish also said his brother should take a call on whether he wanted to remain in the Congress or jump ship to the BJP. “Ramesh has told party workers to work for BJP in this election as the party had meted out injustice to him,” Satish told reporters.

It was speculated that Ramesh met BJP national president Amit Shah in Hubballi recently. Ramesh and two other Congress legislators Mahesh Kumathalli and B Nagendra have been accused by the Congress of “anti-party activity” with the party having moved a petition seeking their disqualification with Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar.

It is speculated that some disgruntled legislators could resign even before the Lok Sabha election results are announced on May 23, endangering the stability of the Congress-JD(S) coalition.