INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
BJP had dismissed the Congress' allegations as wild and baseless
government in Karnataka by attempting to poach on its lawmakers
2008 when the BJP, three seats short of majority, had managed to secure support of lawmakers from rival parties and form the
government.State party chief Dinesh Gundu Rao has warned that such a move will invite retaliation
"If they do it we will not sit quietly
Two BJP MLAs are in touch with us and five with the JDS," Mr Gundu Rao told reporters on Wednesday.BJP co-spokesperson S Praksh has
dismissed the Congress allegations, saying "Dinesh Gundu Rao is making wild and baseless allegations against the BJP
If Congress MLAs are not satisfied, it is Congress's responsibility to hold the flock together"
He also challenged Mr Gundu Rao to name the BJP leaders who have been in touch with the ruling alliance.The BJP's alleged bid to capture
power comes as the Congress and Mr Kumaraswamy's party announced that they would contest next year's Lok Sabha polls together
This, the leaders say, may substantially affect the party's performance in the state.BJP insiders, however said that the party's Central
leadership has sent out a message that engineering the fall of the HD Kumaraswamy government is not an option now
BJP chief Amit Shah has asked the party's state unit "not to create any confusion" and instead stick to playing the role of the opposition
sincerely.Sources said the idea was pitched by state party chief BS Yeddyurappa at the BJP's National Executive meeting last week
But it got turned down.The top BJP leadership maintains that what they call an "alliance of convenience" between the Congress and the JDS,
will topple on its own, sources said.The deep differences within the Congress and Mr Kumaraswamy's party have been manifest since day one
It had held up the cabinet formation for almost two weeks, with state leaders of the Congress vying for seats with the JDS.The factionalism
within the Congress has also lent support to the BJP's view
Initially there were differences over the post of the Deputy Chief Minister, which had gone to the Congress under the terms of alliance with
Mr Kumaraswamy.While the party's candidate for the post was G Parameshwara, senior leader DK Shivakumar had made no secret of his
Mr Shivakumar was eventually given a cabinet berth with the irrigation and medical education portfolio, a crucial one in the state.But last
week, a small local-level election brought out the faultlines in the party again
It infuriated the powerful local leaders of the party, the Jharkaholi brothers, who had also fielded candidates.Pointing to the close
relationship between Ms Hebbalkar and DK Shivakimar, the Jharkaholi brothers have alleged that DK Shivakumar was trying to extend his
dominance over what they consider their backyard.Admitting there are "certain issues" in the party, Mr Gundu Rao said "we will sort them
