With financiers backing out of the deal, JD(s) chief hd kumaraswamy is in a spot with dissidents whom he had allegedly promised big bucks, say sources
With financiers backing out of the deal, JD(s) chiefu00a0HD Kumaraswamy is in a spot with dissidents whom he had allegedly promised big bucks, say sourcesu00a0
HD Kumaraswamy, former Chief Minister and JD(S) state president is in a fix after his political coup failed to topple the Yeddyurappa government.u00a0Sources say that this is because the disqualified BJP MLAs, who had switched to his camp, are now demanding immediate settlement of money, while the moneybags assuring him of finances are now backed out.
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| Bad luck: Kumaraswamy believed that the Assembly would be dissolved, but the governor asked the BJP to prove majority. File pic |
"The offer was a lucrative Rs 10 crore to Rs 25 crore," said a source in the JD(S). "Some of them were paid close to Rs 2 crore in advance. Now they are demanding for a full settlement. But, Kumaraswamy is not in a position to pay."
Kumaraswamy had allegedly assured them of the cash and a ministerial berth in the new government for switchingu00a0 camps. Following this, 11 legislators from the BJP and five independents, who were supporting the government, came to his fold.
However, KG Bopaiah, Speaker of the Assembly, disqualified these MLAs under the Anti Defection law.
Kumaraswamy was hoping that the assembly would be dissolved, after Governor HR Bharadwaj's recommendation of a President's rule. But, the governor did a volte-face, by allowing the CM to prove a clear majority.
While, the governor's advice has come as a death knell for Kumaraswamy's aspirations, the disqualified MLAs are pestering him for a compensation for their ruined political careers. The case is pending in the court, and they will not be allowed to contest elections for another six years if the disqualification is upheld.u00a0
The court has reserved the judgment in the case of the BJP MLAs, and is expected to decide on the case of the independents on October 17. They are not allowed to vote today, when Yeddyurappa seeks a vote of confidence for the second time. While the independents still have a glimmer of hope as they are arguing that they didn't belong to any party and the anti-defection law doesn't affect them, the fate of the BJP MLAs looks like its sealed.
Financiers, including mining lords and liquor barons had come forward to fund the operation, but now they have backed out. Not satisfied by Kumaraswamy's pacification, one of the MLAs has even threatened to commit suicide, said the source.
"I could have become a minister, had I been with the BJP," said S K Bellubbi, former minister, who defected from BJP to Kumaraswamy camp. "Now, my political career is ruined. I can't show my face to my voters. I am a nobody now."
Kumaraswamy has assured them of a party ticket in the next elections, while he is ready to move the Supreme Court in case the High Court upholds the disqualifications. But, his words wouldu00a0 have no meaning for the hapless MLAs.
