Cong-JDS govt will not collapse after LS polls: Karna Dy CM

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara Thursday asserted that the Congress-JDS coalition government would not collapse even as state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa claimed his party's tally would increase in the assembly after by-polls and Lok Sabha election results. "Kumaraswamy is the Chief Minister, on his behalf as Deputy Chief Minister in this government I'm making this statement that the government will not collapse for any reason," Parameshwara said.

Speaking to reports in Kalaburagi, he said, "Not on May 23, 24 or 25.... we will run the government for remaining four years. As promised to the people of the state while taking the oath, we will give a good and pro-people government in the state." "So government won't fall, even if Yeddyurappa makes 'japa' (chanting about government collapse) another hundred times," he added.

Meanwhile, revealing the number game that will emerge in the assembly after by-poll and Lok Sabha election results, Yeddyurappa said, there would be "political alterations" in the state after that. "To bring a change in the state we have asked people to support both our candidates (in Chincholi and Kundgol) and strengthen BJP.

By winning by-poll to both the seats our strength will raise from 104 to 106," Yeddyurappa told reporters in Hubballi. Also, claiming the support of three independent and small party MLAs, which will take the BJP's tally to 109, he said, "any kind of political alterations may happen after that. So we have asked for cooperation and I'm confident that people will definitely support us." The Karnataka assembly has 224 members, in which BJPhas 104 MLAs, Congress-77, JD(S)-37, BSP (1), independent (1) (both currently supporting the ruling alliance), one KPJP, and one Speaker.

Two seats, Chincholi and Kundgol are vacant, for which by-polls would be held on May 19. Recently, Yeddyurappa had claimed that there was an "atmosphere" for BJP to form the government in the state.

He had also said the longevity of the coalition government would depend on the stand taken by about 20 "disgruntled" Congress legislators after the Lok Sabha election results. There are already talks within political circles that any adverse results for the coalition in the Lok Sabha polls, which they fought in the alliance, would have its implications for the government.