BJP: Rebel Karnataka MLAs not in party fold
The BJP on Friday clarified that its rebel MLAs in Karnataka, who were disqualified by the Assembly Speaker, were no more in the party fold.
The party also denied that it was luring Congress and JD(S) legislators through horse-trading.
Senior BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu said: “Some of the disqualified MLAs are making statements that they are willing to come back to the BJP. They are no more in the party. They have been disqualified. By their actions they have given up their membership.”
The Karnataka government under Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa’s leadership had to face trust vote twice, when 16 MLAs, including Independents, withdrew support from the state government after the Cabinet reshuffle.
Eleven BJP MLAs and five Independents (who were part of the Yeddyurappa government) had rebelled and informed Karnataka governor H.R. Bhardwaj that they were withdrawing support. Speaker K.G. Boppaiah had disqualified them under the anti-defection law.
Mr Naidu said these disqualified legislators had gone to Chennai, Kochi, Mumbai and then Goa in the company of JD(S) leaders.
“Even now they are staying in a camp organised by the JD(S),” Mr Naidu said. He was sent by the party high command to handle the crisis in Karnataka.
Ruling out any chances of taking these rebels back, Mr Naidu said, “They have wilfully given up their membership. The party will not take them back.”
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