Bangalore, Goa:
It will no doubt be a working weekend for the Karnataka Chief Minister, BS Yeddyurappa. Ahead of the October 12 deadline given to him to prove that his is not a minority government, his party and he are trying to cajole slash threaten a group of nearly 15 BJP MLAs who have suggested they will pull the plug. If they make good on that promise, Karnataka's 28-month-old government could come tumbling down.
Yeddyurappa via his mediators - ironically, minister, mining baron and factionalist Janardhana Reddy is among them - has offered to give some of the rebels positions in his Cabinet or chairmanships of public corporations. But just in case that doesn't sweeten the deal, the BJP has taken steps to ensure the rebels will not be able to vote during the test of strength. Based on a complaint by Yeddyurappa, the state Assembly Speaker has served notices to 11 rebel BJP MLAs under the anti-defection law. By Sunday, they have to explain whether they support the government, or be disqualified and left out of Monday's trust vote.
The rebels are currently at a five-star hotel in Goa. They first camped in Chennai, then flew to Kochi and Mumbai before checking into Goa, where the welcome sign might read "Trespassers Will be Prosecuted."
The problem, though, will be in determining in who is trespassing. The BJP says its men aren't being allowed to meet the rebels, and that they're being held hostage by the Congress. Not true, says the Congress, even as its ministers are spotted at the hotel. Also circling the rebels - former Chief Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, who insists the rebels have pledged their allegiance to him. On Thursday night, a moment of black humour - Kumaraswamy came face to face with BJP negotiator Janardhana Reddy in the hotel corridors.
Kumaraswamy insists he's in Goa for some r and r. "I only came here to take rest... I am 100% confident they will fail the floor test," he says, proving that if there is any pleasure in this holiday, it's mixed with business. (
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The BJP's Venkaiah Naidu, assigned to defuse the crisis, doesn't take kindly to Kumaraswamy's proximity to the section in revolt. "The reasoning given is really surprising and ridiculous saying the BJP MLAs are facing a threat - is he a protector? Is he the security chief for the BJP MLAs?" he asked.
Yeddyurappa says he's not worried about the Congress and the JD(S) combining forces to challenge him. "I am 100 % sure of winning the vote of confidence on 11th October. Congress leaders are telling - according to me, according to my information they are not going to support the JD(S) at any cost." (
Read: Is the Karnataka crisis over?)
To ensure its own men are not lured away by the BJP ahead of the trust vote, the Congress has sent 50 MLAs on an all-expenses paid expedition to a resort in Lonavala.