JD(S) and Congress are not keen on giving promised tickets to disqualified BJP MLAs because of their tainted image after revolt
JD(S) and Congress are not keen on giving promised tickets to disqualified BJP MLAs because of their tainted image after revolt
ADVERTISEMENT
Clean Bowled: JD(S) Chief Kumaraswamy had joined hands with Congress
leaders to pull off a political coup by toppling the government. File pic
Nowhere to go!
JD(S) Chief Kumaraswamy had joined hands with Congress leaders including Siddaramiah, opposition leader in the assembly, to pull off a political coup by toppling the government.
These MLAs had helped him by raising the banner of revolt after they were assured money and either a JD(S) or a Congress ticket for the next elections.
Both parties, however, now doubt their winning ability because of their dented public image.
JD(S) is not in favour of allowing them to contest under its party symbol while Siddaramiah is not in a position to convince his party high command to take them to its fold.
"Had the government fallen, we could have fielded these MLAs from our party. The scene is different now, they are disqualified and their public image is severely dented. We don't want to take chances," said a senior JD(S) leader.
What the BJP legislators are desperately hoping for now is for the Supreme Court to nullify their disqualification. They had moved the apex court questioning the High Court verdict upholding their disqualification.
A three-member bench of the High Court heard the case of the five independents yesterday and set Friday as the next hearing date.
Show me the money
The MLAs were reportedly offered tens of crores of rupees by the JD(S) leaders before the attempted coup, but even the money hasn't come in full.
"They had assured us money and party tickets. Only a few of us got part payment. Now, we don't have money and they are not even giving us political shelter. Our careers are ruined," said S K Bellubbi, one of the disqualified MLAs.
A source in the JD(S) said Bellubbi still had a chance of getting a JD(S) ticket as he was among four disqualified MLAs who are in Kumaraswamy's good books. Balchandra Jarakiholi, Belur Gopalkrishna and Anand Asnotiker are the other three.
What next?
However, their fate depends on the Supreme Court verdict. If the Supreme Court does not see merit in their disqualification, they will continue to be BJP legislators. Otherwise, they have to be reelected in by-polls if the Election Commission (EC) allows them to. The EC can also decide to bar them from contesting the polls for six years.
Meanwhile, the BJP has turned its back on the disqualified MLAs and seems to be in no mood to forgive and forget. "If the disqualification is quashed, we will have to take them back. Otherwise, there is no question of sympathising with them. We will find alternative candidates for the by-polls," said K S Eswarappa, state president of the BJP.
| Unlucky 11 |
| > Balachandra Jarakiholi > Beluru Goplakrishna > Anand Asnotikar > Dr Sarvabowma Bagali > V Nagaraju > Raju Kage > Y Sampangi > Nanjundaswamy > S K Bellubbi > H S Shankaralinge Gowda > Shivana Gouda Naik |
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
