To get a fix of what went wrong this time and how -- we need to go back to October 3, 2007 when the JD-S was to hand over power to the BJP.
Amidst hosannas on being the first BJP chief minister in South India, B S Yeddyurappa soon discovered that the JD-S had decided against transferring power to his party.
Kumaraswamy, who had to make way for Yeddyurappa, told the BJP that running the government was no child's play and that the JD-S needed some assurances before power was handed over.
The JD-S sought protection for the minorities and tried its best to bargain for lucrative portfolios like mines and geology and urban development. But Yeddyurappa shot back and said there were no conditions when the JD-S obtained the BJP's support and these were lame excuses not to hand over power.
A furious BJP cried foul and set out on a yatra which was cut short with the JD-S re-inviting the BJP to form the government. Prior to setting out on the yatra, the BJP met with Governor Rameshwar Thakur and withdrew support to the JD-S which forced Kumaraswamy to step down.
With the JD-S making a renewed offer, the BJP leaders cut short their yatra and returned to claim power. But it was too late as the governor had already recommended the dissolution of the Karnataka legislative assembly. The Union government, however, decided to impose President's rule and kept the House in suspended animation.
During this time, both the Congress and JD-S made several attempts to form the government. All efforts in this regard failed and one fine day, Kumaraswamy said he would form the government with the BJP. Undeterred by what had happened in the past, Yeddyurappa agreed and both parties met with the governor seeking an invitation to form the government.
The governor took his time, which only earned the wrath of both parties. Both the JD-S and BJP paraded their MLAs before the governor and then before the President of India. The governor finally invited both the parties to form the government.
Image: Karnataka Governor Rameswar Thakur
Also read: 'Power has to be transferred to BJP'
Email this Page | 
Write to us
Advertisement
