BJP looks to woo 7 Congress MLAs ahead of session

A joint legislature party meeting of the coalition partners – the Congress and JD(S) - will be held on February 6, amid apprehension that BJP will push for a no-confidence motion against the government during the budget session.

The 10-day budget session is starting on February 6 and the BJP, it is learnt, intends to get at least seven disgruntled Congress legislators to approach the Governor, stating that they have no confidence in the H D Kumaraswamy-led coalition government and seek a floor test in the Assembly thereafter.

The saffron party is already in touch with four legislators – Umesh Jadhav, Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra,
Mahesh Kumtalli – who kept away from the Congress
Legislature Party meeting held last month. It plans to wean away three more disgruntled legislators, sources said.

Once the disgruntled legislators are in its kitty, the BJP plans to convince to them to write a letter to Governor Vajubhai Vala, stating that they had lost confidence in Kumaraswamy’s leadership.

If this is done, the total strength of the ruling coalition in the Assembly (which at present is 118) will fall below 113, the magic number required for a majority, thereby mandating the Governor to write to Kumaraswamy to prove his majority on the floor of the House.

Both parties will issue whips to their members to be present in the House throughout the budget session and vote as per the directive of their respective parties.

The meeting will also serve as a platform for Congress legislators to interact with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. A section of Congress legislators are unhappy that requests pertaining to thier constituencies to Kumaraswamy have remained unfulfilled.