Kumaraswamy calls JDS legislature party meet on Sunday to discuss political situation

A day after holding a meeting with deputy G Parameshwara and senior Minister DK Shivakumar to take stock of situation amid reports of dissidence growing in ruling coalition partner Congress, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has called a meeting of JD(S) legislature party on Sunday to discuss the political developments in the state.

“The meeting has been called after the Lok Sabha polls to discuss the recent political developments,” sources privy to the development said.

Earlier on Thursday, the Congress-JDS coalition leaders discussed about the threat by rebel Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi to quit the party along with other legislators with him, and its implications on the government.

The meeting also came in the backdrop of the BJP predicting the fall of the coalition government after the Lok Sabha election results are declared on May 23.

There are talks within political circles that any adverse results for the coalition in the Lok Sabha polls, which they fought in alliance, despite resentment within among grass root workers and leaders of both parties, will have its implications on the longevity of the government.

Adding to this was the threat by Jarkiholi, who has been hobnobbing with BJP for some time now that he, along with other MLAs, would resign from the Congress soon, which has caused fear among the ruling coalition leaders as it would trigger the numbers game in the assembly.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Belagavi, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara Friday said the Congress has made efforts to reach out to Jarkiholi.

"We have been trying every day on coming to know tha the has come to Bengaluru. I tried to speak to him, but he was not available. All of us are trying.

None of us want to lose a friend like him. He too has worked for the party from the youth Congress level... we don't want to let go of him easily," he said.

Pointing out that Jarkiholi on many occasions in the past had said he would resign, Parameshwara said, "if he resigns, we will think about further action. If he does not, we will think about how to use him in the party."

If he resigns, the seat which he is representing as MLA will fall vacant, as we still have four years. So we will have to fill this seat by holding by-election..we will prepare for that," he added.

There are signs that Jarkiholi is left alone, with legislators considered close to him expressing their allegiance to the Congress.

With PTI Inputs