#KarnatakaVerdict : Who will form the government? Stay tuned here to get live updates

NewsBharati    16-May-2018
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Bengaluru, May 16: The high voltage political drama continues a day after the results of Assembly polls in Karnataka were out. The BJP has emerged as the single largest party with 104 seats is however still eight short of the majority in 224 seat constituency. On the other side, Congress with 78 seats has given unconditional support to JD(S) which has got only 38 seats. As both BJP and Congress in alliance with JD(S) has sought to form the government.

 

Now the question remains that who and who will get first chance to form the government.

See the Updates here:

4.30 PM

Police clears up road leading to Raj Bhavan as outgoing CM Siddaramaiah expected to arrive shortly to meet Governor.

 4 PM

The JD(S) and Congress MLAs are being moved to the Eagleton resort in the outskirts of Bengaluru until a formal decision from the Raj Bhavan comes in. The legislators are being kept incommunicado to ensure they are not influenced or lured by the BJP.

 3.30 PM

Congress and JD(S) both have asked their elected MLAs to sign a letter of support in favour of HD Kumaraswamy. Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad while talking to media said that they are still waiting for an appointment from the Raj Bhawan.

"If Congress-JD(S) are not invited by the Governor then the MLAs will sit on a 'dharna' outside Raj Bhawan from tomorrow. MPs may also join them," Ghulam Nabi Azad added.

3.00 PM

BJP expresses confident to form the government in Karnataka. The BJP spokesperson has said that they are confident that the Raj Bhawan will call them to form the government.

2.30 PM

Congress and JD(S) MLAs to jointly meet governor at 4.00 pm. The combined strength of JD(S) and Congress MLAs is going to assert before the governor that their coalition has the requisite majority.

 2 PM

BJP refutes all the allegations made by Congress and JD(S) over horse-trading. Karnataka poll in-charge Prakash Javdekar said that the Congress is trying everything which isn't in law and are making baseless charges against BJP. “Poaching and horsetrading isn't BJP's business, it is what Congress and JDS are famous for. Their own legislators are not happy with the decision,” he added.

While talking to media, he said, “We aren't doing anything, it is the desperation of both parties that is leading them to level baseless charges, we condemn it.” “Rs. 100Cr figure is imaginary, we aren't into horsetrading of any kind. Going by the rulebook, we are confident of forming government. Have submitted our claim to Governor, confident of forming stable government,” Javdekar added.

He also noted that the Democracy allows freedom to approach courts.

On the other side, outgoing Karanataka CM Siddaramaiya said, "BJP is doing unconstitutional things. I will not allow BJP to form government. The governor should give us and JDS the opportunity. The horsetrading by BJP is unacceptable."

1.30 PM

Congress announced to approach Supreme Court if Governor Vajubhai invited BJP to form the government in Karnataka. Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi will head the legal challenge in the court.

12.30 pm

JD(S) CM candidate Kumaraswamy holds a press conference and says, “Deep in my heart, I want make a decision in favour of people.” He also added that 104 seats won by the BJP does not mean people wanted them to form government. “In Karnataka, though there is no clear majority, there has been an alliance. It is said that we will not allow BJP to form a government,” he added.

Kumaraswamy claims BJP is desperate to come to power. “Me or my party, are not power hungry,” Kumaraswamy reiterates.

Meanwhile, Congress-JD(S) Lawmakers head to Eagleton resort in Bengaluru to prevent them from defecting.

12.00 pm

BJP CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa meets Governor and urges to allow him to form the government. He later talking to media said, "As soon as possible, I have asked the governor to make me the CM. I have been elected the leader of the legislative party leader. Governor told me he will take appropriate decision. After I get the reply from the governor, I will tell all the crores of people who voted for us.”

11.30 AM

Independent MLA R Shankar gives his letter of support in favour of Yeddyurappa, bringing the BJP tally to 105 i.e 104 BJP lawmakers + 1 Independent.

11 AM

Three Congress MLAs Rajshekhar Patil, Narendra and Anand Singh disappeared ahead of Congress and JD(S) combine meeting.

On the other side, JD(S) lawmakers Raja Venkatappa Nayaka and Venkata Rao Nadagouda are missing from the JD(S) legislative party meeting.

10.30 AM

BS Yeddyurappa has been elected as legislative party leader. He is now heading to Raj Bhavan to stake claim to form a government.