With talk of rift within BJP, is Karnataka Cong planning Operation 'Hasta'?

According to sources, the Karnataka Congress is keenly observing the developments currently, as reports suggest a possible rift within the BJP. The Congress would like to pounce on the opportunity if an internal rebellion does take place within the ruling party.

Bengaluru (Karnataka): With reports emerging that a section within the BJP is dissatisfied with BS Yediyurappa as the Chief Minister, the Karnataka Congress is carefully tracking the developments and is planning a bid to topple the current government, sources said on Friday.

According to sources, the Karnataka unit of the Congress is planning an operation similar to 'operation kamala (lotus)', which was employed by the BJP to topple the erstwhile Kumaraswamy government.

While sources said that the Congress is in a "wait and watch" mode currently, DK Shivakumar, the party's state president is already having talks with respect to 'operation hasta (hand)'.

Congress would like to pounce on the opportunity if a rebellion indeed takes place within the BJP.

What is DKS' strategy?

According to political experts, Shivakumar might have already sought the support of the 'rebel' BJP legislators. If he manages to convince the MLAs to jump ship, the Yediyurappa government will be in minority, paving the way for Congress to once again strike a possible coalition with JDS.

Not an easy task

However, Shivakumar's dreams of becoming the Chief Minister might not be as easy as it sounds, as he will need more than BJP legislators to dump their party. If he manages to do so, the Congress will have to perform well in the by-polls to storm back to power, which seems like a tough prospective.

Rift within BJP?

In what may appear as a rift within the BJP, some of the party's old-timers held series of meetings under the leadership of MLAs Basangouda Ramangouda Patil Yatnal, Umesh Kathi and Murugesh Nirani to discuss leadership change in the party and the state, sources said.

As per sources, Yediyurappa has reached out to the 'disgruntle' MLAs after gaining knowledge of the meeting and offered to address their concerns and demands.

Read:Karnataka MLAs hold series of meetings to discuss 'leadership change'