To avoid polls, BJP open to talks with JDS

“To avoid mid-term elections the BJP will make efforts to form a Government if the JD(S) gives unconditional support from outside,” Yediyurappa said.

He said the state unit of the party would be able to convince its national leaders if the JD(S) came forward unconditionally. Sources said the BJP was also looking to woo JD(S) MLAs wary of elections.

The BJP needs the support of 34 MLAs to be in a position to stake claim to power. The party had made last ditch efforts to revive ties with the JD(S) on October 8 just prior to JD(S) Chief Minister Kumaraswamy’s resignation and the Governor’s decision to impose President’s rule. In the 224-member Assembly, the magic number is 113 and the BJP has 79, the Congress 66 and the JD(S) 58.

“Though our party’s first preference is polls, we are not ready to impose it on the people. We are ready for talks with the JD(S),” Yediyurappa said.

The outgoing Chief Minister Kumaraswamy on Wednesday, however, ruled out renewed ties with the BJP. “There is no mutual trust between the parties. Our hearts have broken. There is no question of giving outside support to the BJP,” he said.

Incidentally, there has been serious heartburn within the JD(S) over the past couple of days over the sudden turn of events and ouster from power. “Our leaders have ruined our party, many of us are disturbed,” a senior JD(S) leader said.

The JD(S)-BJP alliance fell through after the JD(S) refused to transfer power as scheduled on October 3 and the two parties launched attacks and counter-attacks against each other.

There are now fears in the JD(S) that both the Congress and BJP could attempt to woo JD(S) MLAs away from the party and the family of JD(S) national President H D Deve Gowda, who controls the party.

Deve Gowda has said the period of suspended animation must not see “horse trading”. “I hope and trust that the highest constitutional values shall be maintained and the spirit of democracy is kept alive. Elections must be held as early as possible,” he said.

State Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said his party will strategise on its next course of action over the next few days.