Right after being sworn-in as the 23rd Chief Minister of Karnataka, BS Yeddyurappa on Thursday announced that his government will be waiving off all farm loans up to Rs 1 lakh for farmers in the state.
"I had promised the farmers of the state one thing - that I will waive loans up to Rs 1 lakh in nationalised banks. I have informed the same to the Chief Secretary. They will give us the information by today evening or tomorrow morning. And I will fulfill my promise by tomorrow or day after. I promise this to the farming community once again," he told reporters.
Yeddyurappa currently is the sole man in the Karnataka cabinet. The low-key swearing-in-ceremony at the Raj Bhavan saw only Yeddyurappa taking oath.
He announced, "Cabinet expansion will be done in the presence of at least three to four lakh people and in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah."
He has been a CM in the past twice, once for eight days and then for three years.
On Thursday, he said, "I am sure I will complete a five year term."
He has been given 15 days time by Governor Vajubhai Vala to prove his majority at the floor of the house.
After Tuesday's results, the BJP is nine short of the magic figure of 113 in the 224 seat assembly.
The JD(S) and the Congress have formed a post poll alliance and staked claimed to form the government. Moreover, the two independent MLAs, R Shankar and P Nagesh, seem to be on the Congress' side.
But the Governor had invited BS Yeddyurappa, the leader of the legislature party to be sworn in as the CM late on Wednesday.
This triggered the Congress and the JD(S) to move SC and a hearing was held late last night/early morning on the matter. However, the apex court refused to stay the swearing in proceedings with the rider that the court will have a final say on the matter.
BS Yeddyurappa has been told to furnish a letter showing support of the MLAs.
Terming the post-poll alliance as unholy, 75-year-old Yeddyurappa said, "Despite the fact that people's support is with BJP, Congress and JD(S) created a coalition after election and are trying to grab power even though people out rightly rejected these parties. But people's support is with me and my party. I have 100 % confidence that I will be victorious."
"There are many Congress and JD(s) MLAs who believe that BJP should form the government. I request them to support as per their conscience. I am confident they will vote according to their conscience. I am confident that all legislators will vote according to their conscience and according to the Constitution," he said.
At the same time, Congress and JD(S) MLAs have been protesting at the Gandhi Statue at the Vidhan Soudha premises.
Speaking to reporters, both Congress President G Parmeshwara and DK Shivakumar claimed their flock is intact in addition to the two independents.