By 10 am on 15 May, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had emerged as the single-largest party in Karnataka. Celebrations broke out at the party headquarters. Spokespersons in news studios accused TV anchors of airing biased exit polls.
However, by 2 pm, all had fallen silent.
As the BJP’s lead slipped from 112 to hover around 104, the incumbent Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Congress’ state-in-charge Gulab Nabi Azad announced they were open to an alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)), offered the CM’s post to the party which has been ranked third in the contest, and hoped they would accompany them to Governor Vajubhai Vala’s residence.
The JD(S) promptly agreed.
Within minutes, breaking news tickers declared BS Yeddyurappa was on his way to the governor’s residence as well.
What we have in Karnataka currently, is a stalemate.
The governor has said that he will not be entertaining any proposals till the time the Election Commission declares the final results. So, what will be the next step for Vajubhai Vala, a former Gujarat BJP leader, who had, in 2002, vacated his Rajkot seat for Narendra Modi and had also served in his cabinet as a Finance Minister? Will he call upon the single-largest party to form the government as per convention or allow two political contenders who’ve agreed on a post-poll alliance to come to rule?