Karnataka Cabinet: Amid portfolio row, Yeddyurappa welcomes disgruntled Congress, JDS MLAs into BJP fold

With the Congress-JDS government engaged in an intense bargaining for ministerial berths in Karnataka, BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa on Saturday claimed that several disgruntled leaders are eager to join his party.

"Several disgruntled young leaders from Congress and JD-S are eager to join the BJP," the state BJP chief said.

Yeddyurappa was addressing his party workers on Saturday and further added that it is their responsibility to induct those MLAs, who are unhappy with the coalition government and their style of administration in Karnataka.

The BJP is ready to welcome those disgruntled MLAs, who are willing to join the BJP, thereby strengthening the party in every constituency.

"How long this government will function is a different matter, but without aspiring for the seat of power, let us all 104 members work as successful opposition with our good work," the former Karnataka CM was quoted by PTI as saying.

Read | Karnataka Cabinet: Rahul Gandhi's talks with disgruntled MLAs remain unsettled, next meeting on June 12

Earlier, the BJP, which emerged as the single largest party following May 12 election in Karnataka, staked claim to form the government in the state.

However, the Yeddyurappa-led government fell eight seats short of the majority mark of 112 and was directed a floor test to survive in the state.

On May 19, minutes before the floor test, Yeddyurappa quit as the Karnataka CM, paving the way for the Congress-JDS post-poll coalition.

Read | Karnataka Cabinet: Injustices has been done over portfolio allocation, says Mallikarjun Kharge

Post that, the Congress-JDS combine, which had the support of 116 members in the Karnataka Assembly, formed the government in the state, under the leadership of HD Kumaraswamy.