Bengaluru: On May 10, BS Yeddyurappa, the president of the Karnataka BJP unit thundered that as many as 20 Congress MLAs are unhappy with the coalition government and that “anything might happen anytime”.

A day later (May 11), Bandeppa Kashempur, the JD(S) MLA from Bidar hit back at Yeddyurapa saying nothing of that sort will happen. He further reiterated that the stability of the coalition government would not be hampered.

“Not on May 23, I will give eight more days to the state BJP. I will challenge them. They will not be able to do anything to the state coalition,” he said.

The JD(S) MLA also stressed on the fact that many BJP members are themselves in touch with the coalition.

“I must say that many of the BJP members are themselves in touch with us. On the evening of May 23, you will come to know what will happen,” he added.

However, the BJP was quick to dismiss these statements terming them as an effort to please the higher-ups in the JD(S).

Ashwathnarayana Gowda, spokesperson, BJP, said, “Bandepppa Kashempur doesn’t know anything outside of Bidar. There is no groupism in BJP. There is no factionalism in BJP. He (Bandeppa Kashempur) should think decently. BS Yeddyurappa is a man with a world of experience. He would not have spoken cursorily. He would have had some information. But the issue with Bandeppa Kashempur is different. His only intention and desire is to please HD Deve Gowda and others and nothing else.”

Presently, the number of the BJP in the state Assembly stands at 104. If Ramesh Jarkiholi does go ahead and resign, added to which the BJP does win Chincholi and Kundagol and going with the support of two independents, the number shoots up to 109. The magic number is 113 to stake claim.

Both Chincholi and Kundagol will vote in the bypolls to be held on May 19. BJP is fielding Avinash Jadhav, son of Umesh Jadhav from Chincholi and Kusuma Shivalli from Kundagol.