Karnataka state assembly elections, 2008
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The 2008 Karnataka state assembly elections in India took place in May 2008 to elect members of the Karnataka legislature. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was the single largest party in the election and came 3 seats short of winning an overall majority. As a result the BJP was able to take the lead in the government of Karnataka, the first time the party had been able to do so in southern India.[1][2]
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[edit] Background
In the 2004 Karnataka elections the BJP emerged as the largest party with 79 of the 224 seats. However the Indian National Congress with 64 members and the Janata Dal (Secular) with 58 members formed a coalition to run the government for the next 20 months. However in early 2006 Janata Dal withdrew its support for the government and instead formed an alliance with the BJP with H. D. Kumaraswamy of Janata Dal as chief minister.[3]
The alliance between the BJP and Janata Dal collapsed in October 2007 after Janata Dal refused to let the a member of the BJP take over as chief minister as had been agreed in 2006. They briefly reformed a government, with the BJP at the head, in November 2007 but it quickly collapsed due to disagreements over power sharing. As a result new elections were called from May 2008.[1]
[edit] Campaign
The election was the first in India to vote after electoral constituencies had been redrawn based on new population data.[2] Voting took place in three different phases on 10, 16 and 22 May.[1]
The BJP campaigned on the high rate of inflation and criticised the national United Progressive Alliance government for being soft on terroism. The party called on voters to give the party a chance in Karnataka and was successful in attracting millionaire candidates to stand for the party.[1] The Congress party pledged to reign in prices, improve the infrastructure of the state and provide stable government.[4]
[edit] Results
| Parties | Votes | % | Seats | 2004 seats | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 33.9 | 110 | 79 | ||
| Indian National Congress | 34.6 | 80 | 64 | ||
| Janata Dal (Secular) | 19.1 | 28 | 58 | ||
| Others | 12.4 | 7 | 23 | ||
| Total (Turnout %) | 100.0 | 224 | 224 | ||
| Source: www.thaindian.com | |||||
[edit] Aftermath
Although the BJP fell three seats short of getting an overall majority B. S. Yeddyurappa was able to become chief minister after winning the support of six independent members of the assembly. He was sworn in as chief minister on 30 May 2008 at the head of a 30 strong cabinet, which included five of the six independents who had agreed to back the BJP.[5] Jagdish Shettar was elected speaker on 5 June and a vote of confidence was passed by voice vote on 6 June after the opposition walked out.[6][7]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d BJP wins Karnataka assembly polls. BBC Online (2008-05-26). Retrieved on 2008-06-04.
- ^ a b BJP creates history in Karnataka, Congress humbled all over. Hindustan Times (2008-05-25). Retrieved on 2008-06-05.
- ^ BJP makes southern Indian debut. BBC Online (2006-02-03). Retrieved on 2008-06-04.
- ^ India's software state votes in high-stakes election. Agence France-Presse (2008-05-09). Retrieved on 2008-06-05.
- ^ Yeddy swears by a please-all cabinet. The Economic Times (2008-05-31). Retrieved on 2008-06-04.
- ^ Karnataka BJP Government To Seek Trust-vote Friday. News Post India (2008-06-05). Retrieved on 2008-06-05.
- ^ BJP Govt wins trust vote in Karnataka. Hindustan Times (2008-06-07). Retrieved on 2008-06-08.
[edit] External links
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