World | India
BJP claims support of independents to form government
An upbeat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday claimed the support of at least three independents to reach the halfway mark in the 225-member legislative assembly for a working majority and to form its first government in Karnataka - and southern India.
- IANS
- Published: 20:57 May 26, 2008
Bangalore: An upbeat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday claimed the support of at least three independents to reach the halfway mark in the 225-member legislative assembly for a working majority and to form its first government in Karnataka - and southern India.
"We are in touch with a couple of independents," a party leader said.
"For instance, Shivaraj, elected from Kanakagiri as an independent, has pledged support to us. He was with the BJP but contested as a rebel candidate."
"Similarly, we have approached two more independents - D. Sudhakar from Hiriyur and D. Shekar from Hosadurga for their support. The response is positive," he said.
Although the BJP emerged victorious in the assembly election with 110 members winning, it is short of three members to reach the magic figure of 113 for a simple majority. The party hopes to rope in as many of the six independents elected to the house.
"The newly elected legislators have elected B.S. Yediyurappa as leader of the BJP legislature party. We are going to Raj Bhavan later in the day to formally stake claim to form the next government. We hope Governor Rameshwar Thakur will invite our leader to form the government by May 28," the leader said.
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