BJP President Rajnath Singh meets CM Shettar, says no threat to govt in Karnataka

Bangalore: The Bharatiya Janata Paty (BJP) continued its troubleshooting on the political crisis in Karnataka. Newly-appointed BJP Presdient Rajnath Singh met Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar early on Monday morning. Rajnath Singh is confident that there is no threat to the BJP government in the state.

Rajnath's assurance comes after an hour-long meeting with the Karnataka CM Jagadish Shetttar in the capital. While Rajnath termed the visit as a courtesy call, he sounded optimistic that the BJP will complete its tenure. "There is no threat to our Karnataka government. Our state government in Karnataka will complete its tenure. This was a courtesy call," Rajnath Singh said.

"There is no crisis in Karnataka, nothing to worry. No MLA has technically resigned till now, so we have to wait," Shettar said.

While Rajnath termed the visit as a courtesy call, he sounded optimistic that the BJP will complete its tenure.

Shettar's meeting was precipitated after the 13 MLAs, who resigned last week, said that they will meet the Speaker with their resignation letters on Monday. If the Speaker accepts their letters, the BJP strength comes down to 105, which is just two seats more than what the Opposition has.

Reports say the crisis may prolong till February first week, which is when the Governor HR Bhardwaj has asked the Chief Minister to prove his majority at a special session of the Assembly. In the 225-member Assembly, BJP has a strength of 117 excluding the Speaker and it requires 113 for a simple majority. Congress has 71 members and JDS 26. There are seven Independents and two vacancies. One member is nominated.

BJP Spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy on Sunday attacked the Governor for convening the Assembly on February 4 and said the right of convening lies with the Speaker of the State Assembly and not the Governor. "This right is with the Speaker. Karnataka Governor's intervention proves that the Congress is trying interfere in the affairs of the BJP-led Karnataka government," Rudy said.

(With additional information from PTI)

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