Bangalore: The BJP today issued whip to its 79 MLAs to vote in favour of the confidence motion to be moved by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa tomorrow in Karnataka assembly.

The whip was issued at its Legislature Party meeting, which also debated the political crisis triggered by JD(S) insistence on inking a "Memorandum of Understanding" to assure its support to the BJP-led government during the floor test.

"We are confident that Yeddyurappa will win the vote of confidence. Because the BJP-JD(S) combine enjoys the support of 129 MLAs," BJP state president D V Sadananda Gowda told reporters.

Senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, who also participated, spiked a query whether JD(S) was holding BJP to a ransom by setting out conditions and said, "no, not at all".

He expressed optimism of Yeddyurappa having a smooth sailing during the vote of confidence.

In the 224-member house, BJP has a strength of 79, followed by Congress 64,JD(S) 58,JD(U) 5,Vatal Paksha, Kannada Naadu, CPM and RPI one each and independents 13.

Source : PTI