Karnataka results: 'King in the making' Kumaraswamy to meet Congress leaders

As Karnataka appeared headed for a hung Assembly today with the BJP set to emerge as the single largest party, the Congress on Tuesday sprang a surprise, declaring it will back the apparent kingmaker JD(S) in forming the government as its leader HD Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister.

JD(S) State President H D Kumaraswamy. Photo: PTI

BENGALURU: As Karnataka appeared headed for a hung Assembly today with the BJP set to emerge as the single largest party, the Congress on Tuesday sprang a surprise, declaring it will back the apparent kingmaker JD(S) in forming the government as its leader HD Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister. Senior Congress leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Siddaramaiah said,"We have decided that the Congress will extend support to the JD(S) to form the government. That's the best way to keep the BJP out (of power)." The JD(S) has accepted Congress' offer and said both parties will approach the governor in the evening. JD(S) leader and its chief ministerial face HD Kumaraswamy and his father HD Deve Gowda will meet leaders of the Congress party amid the possibility of a post-poll alliance.

#ABPResults JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy seeks appointment from the Governor of #Karnataka this evening, writes we have accepted Congress's support to form the Government #KarnatakaVerdict (PIC/ANI) pic.twitter.com/OYZSc6F6C1

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) May 15, 2018

The role of Governor Vajubhai Bala, a former BJP veteran, would be critical once the Congress formally extends support to the JD(S). According to the usual practice, the governor calls the leader of the single largest party or pre-poll alliance to form the government, and in the event of a hung Assembly, asks him to prove the majority on the floor of the House. Since the Congress and JD(S) did not have a pre-poll alliance, it seems unlikely that he would invite the leader of the JD(S) legislature group to form the government.