No need for 'Operation Lotus': Yeddyurappa

MYSORE: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who recently sailed through the second trust of confidence, today said that there was no need for 'Operation Lotus' (to lure other parties' MLAs) to boost the strength of BJP in the Assembly.

The Chief Minister, who arrived here to participate in the Dussehra celebrations, had won the trust vote on October 14 with 106 votes cast in favour of his government as against 100 by the Opposition.

BJP had the support of 105 MLAs and an Independent MLA, while Congress had 73, JD(S) 27 in a House of 206.

Two MLAs -- Manappa Vajjal from BJP and M C Ashwath of JD(S) -- were absent which brought down the effective strength of the 224-member Assembly to 206.

However, the results of the vote of confidence is subject to the Karnataka High Court ruling which is yet to decide the fate of 16 MLAs, including five Independents, who were disqualified under the anti-defection law by the Speaker.

The court has reserved orders on the BJP MLAs' plea for quashing the Speaker's orders, while it has adjourned hearing on the plea of the Independent MLAs to Monday.