Will Lingayat MLAs from Congress, JD(S) cross-vote in favour of Yeddyurappa?

Bengaluru, May 19: Amid unexpected turn of events in Karnataka politics, all eyes will be on 18 Lingayat MLAs from Congress and two from JD(S) when CM B S Yeddyurappa takes the floor test in the assembly later today.

Many BJP leaders think Lingayat MLAs from the two opposition camps might cross-vote in favour of the trust vote, keeping in mind their own political future and to avoid incurring the community’s wrath.

A state BJP insider said the party is hoping to lure a few Lingayat MLAs and claimed that there was deep-rooted discontent within the community over Congress’s pre-election gamble to divide them.

“Lingayat MLAs were already upset with Congress for its effort to divide the community. They are even more upset now with the party deciding to go with JD(S), which is seen as anti-Lingayat. More importantly, they (Lingayat MLAs) don’t want to be blamed for denying the CM’s post to Yeddyurappa, who the community considers its leader,” said a BJP MLA.

The legislator said BSY’s appeal to MLAs to vote as per their conscience during the trust vote, soon after he took oath as CM on May 17, was aimed at luring Lingayat MLAs from the opposition camp. Many Congress MLAs, especially from North Karnataka, feel that Yeddyurappa’s defeat will only consolidate Lingayat votes behind BJP ahead of Lok Sabha elections.