BJP govt will fall on its own, says Karnataka Congress

Bangalore: The Congress will not move a no-confidence motion as it expects the first BJP government in the south to collapse on its own, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly said in Bangalore on Monday. “We will not move,” Siddaramaiah said, when asked if the Congress was planning to bring in a no-trust notice in the budget session, which commenced on Monday. “We don’t have the numbers (to succeed).”  The BJP government “technically” enjoys a majority but the “ground reality” is different and it’s in minority as some of the Ministers supporting former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa are only continuing in office “to loot,” Siddaramaiah alleged. “The government will fall on its own,” he said and likened the step to move a no-trust motion as “flogging a dead horse.” “If government respects the Constitution, it should recommend dissolution of the House, and seek a fresh mandate,” Siddaramaiah added. In the 211-member House, after acceptance of resignation of 12 MLAs and two vacancies, the ruling BJP has a strength of 108, including an independent who is a minister, a nominated member and the Speaker. The BJP headcount includes two members who have tendered their resignations, yet to be accepted by the Speaker K G Bopaiah. Assembly elections in the state are due in May this year. After a four decade long association with the BJP and playing a key role in building it in the state, Yeddyurappa, quit the party two months ago and formally floated the Karnataka Janata Party. PTI