Karnataka Bypolls: HD Kumaraswamy Hints JDS May Help BJP If It Falls Short Of Majority

BJP need to win at least five out of the 15 seats in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly bypolls to go past the halfway mark in the Legislative Assembly. The BS Yediyurappa-led government currently has the support of 107 MLA, including 105 from BJP, one independent and one nominated member.  However, if it falls short of the required numbers may an ally in former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and his Janata Dal (Secular) party. The former CM has dropped hints that his party may extend support to the BJP if it fails to win enough seats in the bypolls. 

The bypolls are being held to 15 of the 17 seats that fell vacant after then ruling Congress and JD(S) resigned from the House. Ironically, these MLAs had caused the fall of Congress-JDS government led by Kumaraswamy. 

Kumaraswamy gave example of Maharashtra, where NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena are expected to come together to form government. According to a report in The Indian Express, Kumaraswamy said his own party is not averse to an understanding with ruling BJP in Karnataka. 

"What does Congress have to say about developments in Maharashtra? Everybody knows that the Shiv Sena has held a harder position on Hindutva than the BJP. Now they are talking of allying with such an ideology and they are pointing fingers in Karnataka at my party and accusing us of moving closer to the communal BJP," the report quoted Kumaraswamy as saying.

"Congress leader Siddaramaiah keeps calling the BJP and its allies communal but what is happening in Maharashtra now?” he asked.

The effective strength of the 224-member Legislative assembly is 207. After the bypolls, the Assembly’s effective strength will increase to 222. A political party or an alliance will need the support of 112 MLAs to claim majority.