All eyes are on the floor test to be held in the Legislative Council on Thursday, with the crucial player, the JD(S), till late Wednesday night, not revealing its stand on the no-confidence motion against Chairman D.H. Shankaramurthy to be moved by the Congress.
Ramesh Babu, spokesperson of JD(S), told The Hindu that a whip had been issued to members only to be present during the floor test. The party’s decision on voting would be made known to them only “then and there”, he added.
However, another senior party leader, who did not wish to be named, said that the party had decided to “remain equidistant” from both the national parties, since they do not wish to be seen as siding with either ahead of the 2018 Assembly polls. Interestingly, if they decide to stay neutral, the trust vote will go in favour of the Congress, which will have a majority on the floor, and Mr. Shankaramurthy will have to step down. The position of Mr. Shankaramurthy will be safe only if JD(S) continues to support the BJP.
Meanwhile, the Congress is also said to be trying to enlist the support of two Independent candidates, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and D.U. Mallikarjun. BJP leaders, on the other hand, are learnt to be pleading with Mr. Kumaraswamy to keep the commitment he made three years ago to support them.
KPCC president G. Parameshwara, who met JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda on Tuesday evening, failed to get a concrete assurance on extending support to the motion. He was asked to discuss the issue with Mr. Kumaraswamy. The Congress described the situation as “fluid” even late on Wednesday.
“The motion was moved as most of the members have lost confidence in the chairman. We are confident of winning the trust vote. But whatever may be the outcome, we will take it in our stride,” said Mr. Ugrappa, one of signatories for the resolution seeking permission to move no-confidence motion.
