Gowda has BJP on tenterhooks in K'taka

If you thought storm clouds had vanished from Karnataka political circles, then picture this. When B S Yeddyurappa was sworn in as chief minister of the state, barely a week back, everyone in Karnataka heaved a sigh of relief thinking that the worst political crisis had finally come to an end. However that does not seem to be the case.

While Janata Dal-Secular chief H D Deve Gowda is back at what he does best – politicking -- the Bharatiya Janata Party has postponed the date to swear-in all its ministers.

JDS sources confirmed that Gowda had sent fresh feelers to the Congress and was ready to hand over the post of chief minister to them. The BJP too seems to be confused.

The saffron party, which was in such a hurry to swear in its ministers and get the ball rolling, has now decided to have the swearing-in ceremony on November 22, a day after the JDS will swear-in its ministers.

The JDS had wanted the BJP to swear in the rest of its legislators as ministers on November 21. The BJP, however, rejected that claim and decided to hold it on November 22.

Following the developments, the situation is interestingly poised. The BJP still has doubts over the JDS joining the ministry. The BJP feels that it will be better if the JDS swore-in all its ministers first. This way the BJP will have the confidence that the intentions of the JDS are clear.

While this is the reason being given by party sources, the BJP maintains in public that it did not want to share the limelight with the JDS. State BJP chief Sadananda Gowda who confirmed that the swearing in ceremony will be held on November 22, however, did not assign reasons for the change in plans. This would mean that the BJP will swear-in rest of its ministers three days after, B S Yeddyurappa proves his majority on the floor of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

While the BJP is busy trying to sort out small differences in the state, Gowda is stepping up pressure on the BJP to comply with the conditions he had set. Gowda has had talks with BJP president Rajnath Singh in this regard. Apart from this, Gowda also held talks with Congress leader Prithvi Raj Chauvan in New Delhi.

Congress sources said that in politics anything is possible and added that fresh feelers had been sent out. The Congress feels that things could be worked out between the two parties, but first Gowda has to ensure that swearing-in ceremony of the JDS ministers scheduled to be held on November 21 must be postponed.

Political observers in the state say this is yet another ploy by Gowda to step up the heat on the BJP. The BJP does not seem to be giving in too easily to the conditions set out by the JDS as a result of which, Gowda is resorting to these tactics. Gowda knows that if he withdraws support, the image of the party will be in shambles, they add.