Operation Kamal in Karnataka

​Bengaluru: A group of 'missing' Congress lawmakers in Karnataka is the biggest clue that the BJP has set ‘Operation Kamal’ in motion, even as its partner, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, dismissed any threat to his coalition government.

The Congress has called a meeting in Bengaluru in the backdrop of its worry about "Operation Kamal", which describes allegations that the BJP is trying to draw away ruling coalition lawmakers and take power in the state. Five Congress lawmakers appear to be out of contact with their party, though Kumaraswamy claimed that they were in touch with him. 

Kumaraswamy, however, reiterated his allegation that the BJP was trying to lure MLAs of the ruling combine even as he expressed confidence that none of them would switch sides.    

"I have noticed reports in sections of the media (about 'Operation Kamal’). Today too I saw a media report stating that on January 17, President's rule will be imposed in the state. I don't know who is feeding such reports to the media...I was surprised to see the report," he said. 

BJP sources, on the other hand, not only confirm that plans are afoot to poach disgruntled Congress MLAs, but also claim there’s a general election link to the move. They say that if all goes according to plan, the state will have a new government after Sankranti.

"Our high command thinks that if the JD(S)-Congress fight together in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP will be in trouble. Winning maximum number of seats from Karnataka is very important. It can happen only if we have our own government in the state. Once they lose power, the JD(S) may go solo or may even join NDA for its survival. The Congress will be demoralised. That's why our leaders are making a serious effort one last time," said a senior BJP MLA. 

Congress trouble-shooter and Karnataka minister DK Shivakumar had alleged on Sunday that three of its MLAs had been whisked away by the BJP to Mumbai and are now untraceable. It is said that the BJP is using Congress MLA Ramesh Jharkiholi, who was dropped from the cabinet, to mobilise support.

Sources say Jharkiholi is trying to get at least 10 Congress MLAs on his side, but he has been able to get just two so far. One more MLA, Umesh Jadhav from Gulbarga, is also allegedly planning to switch sides, said sources. Confirming these developments, Shivakumar said the BJP was making a desperate attempt to topple the government. 

A week ago, former chief minister Siddaramaiah had dropped a bombshell claiming that the BJP was offering Rs 30 crore to each MLA who was willing to defect. Since breaking the JD(S) with 37 MLAs is difficult, the BJP seems to be focussing on Congress MLAs from North Karnataka region. 

"Karnataka is a cash cow for any party in New Delhi. By toppling the government ahead of Lok Sabha elections, the BJP is trying to choke Congress and JD(S) resources," said a Congress leader from the state. 
JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda and his CM-son Kumaraswamy have expressed confidence that the BJP will fail once again in its attempt. 

In the 224-member Karnataka assembly, the Congress has 80 MLAs, the JD(S) has 37, BSP one and two are Independents, who together constitute the ruling coalition. The BJP has 104 MLAs. At least 14 MLAs will have to resign to bring the House strength down to ensure BJP's elevation to power.

Meanwhile, state Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao said the Congress-JDS government in Karnataka "is not going anywhere", instead BJP MLAs are getting in touch with them. "BJP MLAs, 4 to 5 of them, are also in touch with us and are keen to join us. We have already spoken to and taken our MLAs into confidence. There is zero per cent risk to our alliance government in Karnataka," he added.