BJP hopeful of bagging CM’s post after Kumaraswamy’s term concludes

BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has expressed confidence of succeeding H D Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister of Karnataka after the latter completes his 20-month tenure at the helm in October 2007.

Participating in a Meet the Press programme in Bangalore, Yediyurappa said the BJP enjoyed a good understanding with JD (S) and he had faith in Kumaraswamy handing over the Chief Minister’s post to him in accordance with the pact arrived at between the coalition partners before the JD (S)-BJP Government was formed on February 3, 2006.

According to an agreement between the coalition partners, H D Kumaraswamy and B S Yediyurappa will become Chief Ministers of the coalition Government for 20 months each. Reposing faith in JD (S) leadership, Yediyurappa said Kumaraswamy, who has already completed ten months at the helm, would be handing over the top post to him after ten more months.

He said the coalition Government had been formed after talks between himself, Kumaraswamy and senior leaders of the BJP in Karnataka. Even the BJP’s central leadership had approved the pact. “It is a unique experiment for the BJP in South India to deliver good governance with the agenda of development and welfare for all sections of the people”.

Yediyurappa came down heavily on the Opposition Congress for trying to topple the coalition Government. “The Congress party will not succeed in its endeavour”, Yediyurappa said.

Congress leaders have openly expressed skepticism of JD (S) leadership handing over the post of Chief Minister to BJP after the completion of the first 20 months of the coalition rule. The Congress leaders have also predicted the premature collapse of the coalition Government after the ensuing by-polls to Chamundeshwari assembly constituency from where former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is seeking re-election on the Congress ticket.