Two independents extend support to Congress

Two out of the six independent MLAs, whose support has become crucial in the installation of a new Government in Karnataka, have extended support to the Congress party triggering speculations over a Congress-JD (S) coalition returning to power in the state.

Varthur Prakash and P M Narendraswamy, who had won the elections from Kolar and Malavalli constituencies respectively as Congress rebels, met former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the latter’s residence in Bangalore yesterday and declared their support to him.

The duo not only pledged to abide by the decision taken by Siddaramaiah, but also urged the Congress leadership to make efforts to form a Government headed by Siddaramaiah. “We will extend support to the formation of a Congress-led Government headed by Siddaramaiah”, said Narayanaswamy, who had successfully contested the elections as an independent after the Congress denied him a ticket.

The support extended by the two independent MLAs to the Congress party assumes significance in view of the BJP’s inability to secure a simple majority in the 224 member house. With 110 MLAs, the saffron party is still short of three MLAs to reach the magic figure of 113.

JD (S) supremo H D Deve Gowda’s reported offer to extend his party’s support to the Congress if the latter comes forward to form a coalition Government has led to the Congress leaders opening channels of communication with the four remaining independents.

The Congress party with 80 MLAs and JD (S) with 28 MLAs together constitute 108 MLAs. The Congress and JD (S) combine requires the support of at least five independents to command a majority in the 224-member assembly.

Four out of the six independents, who had won the elections, are Congress rebels while one is a BJP rebel and another a JD (S) rebel. “We have asked the four Congress rebels to come for talks. Let us see what happens”, said a senior Congress leader.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and JD (S) leader H D Kumaraswamy said he had spoken to the four Congress rebels, who had won as independents, and appealed to them not to support the BJP.