Bangalore: Karnataka's political crisis has just got worse, sparking off fresh speculation over the future of the Congress-led Dharam Singh government in the state.
Former prime minister and Janata Dal Secular leader H D Deve Gowda is facing rebellion within his party.
His son, H D Kumaraswamy wants to be Chief Minister and a majority of legislators under the leadership of H D Kumaraswamy are reportedly considering joining hands with BJP.
The BJP in turn has stated that they will back those who break away from Janata Dal(Secular) in the state.
He needs another five MLAs on his side to be able to become the new chief minister of the state.
However, Karnataka Chief Minister, Dharam Singh, who heads the Congress-JD(S) alliance and H D Deve Gowda who is the leader of JD(S) have ruled out any threat to the coalition government.
Responding to reports that the BJP may offer outside support to the Kumaraswamy faction of the JD(S), Dharam Singh said, "I am not saying anything based on a newspaper report."
Dharam Singh also ruled out the possibility of his resignation in the wake of hectic political activity in the JD(S).
"My government is intact and there is no question of me resigning as chief minister," he said.
At the moment, the Kumaraswamy faction is trying to convince deputy chief minister, M P Prakash and the number three man in JD(S), P G R Scindhia, to join hands with them.
A meeting is currently on at Prakash's residence.
Dharam Singh declined to comment on speculation that Kumarasway might submit a letter to the governor, C N Chaturvedi, on withdrawal of support to the government.
"I do not want to comment. Let Kumarasway give the letter first," he said.
He added he had not spoken to Deve Gowda and would contact him only if need be.
Maintaining that there were no differences between Congress and JD (S), he said, "In my 34 years of political life, I have seen several such political developments."
Singh said the state legislature session, which commences on Friday, would go on.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka unit BJP president Jagadish Shettar, refusing to divulge his party’s strategy, saying, "We are watching the development."
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The BJP Central leadership has deputed its Vice-President, M Venkaiah Naidu, to monitor and take an appropriate decision if JD(S) choses to bid goodbye to its relations with Congress.
The relations between the two parties have been strained since JD(S) fared below expectations in the Zilla and Taluk panchayat polls.
Sources in BJP claim that the situation has reached such a stage that a sizeable number of JD (S) MLAs would break away from the party and leave the coalition government, forcing the Congress to watch the situation intently.
For now, AICC in-charge AK Antony says that there is no threat to the Karnataka government.
A meeting of top JD(S) leaders is on at H D Deve Gowda's residence in Bangalore.
Kumaraswamy may also take part in the meeting.
Deve Gowda's younger son and Karnataka's Power and PWD minister, H D Revanna, says his father's decision is final.
He said he would not back his younger brother Kumaraswamy.
Sources told CNN-IBN that Kumaraswamy may meet the governor at 6:30 PM on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, BJP MLAs are in a meeting at Opposition party leader, B S Yediyurappa's, residence.
A BJP advocate also met governor but declined comment on the purpose of the meeting.
(With inputs from PTI)
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