Karnataka: 16 disqualified MLAs join BJP, likely to get bypoll tickets

Yediyurappa lauded the 'sacrifice' of the MLAs in helping him become CM

ramesh-jarkiholi-joining-bjp Ramesh Jarkiholi being welcomed to the BJP by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa | Supplied

A day after the Supreme Court upheld their disqualification from the Karnataka Assembly, 16 of the 17 rebel MLAs who resigned from the Congress and the JD(S) joined the BJP on Thursday in Bengaluru.

The lone disqualified MLA who did not join the BJP was Roshan Baig, former Congress legislator from Shivajinagar in Bengaluru. According to sources, Baig's alleged involvement in the IMA Jewellers Ponzi scam worked against him as the top BJP leadership is reluctant to induct him into the party. However, Baig contesting the bypolls as an independent candidate cannot be ruled out.

The newly inducted MLAs were handed over the BJP flag by the party's Karnataka unit president Nalin Kumar Kateel and welcomed by Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and party general secretary Muralidhar Rao.

Putting to rest all apprehensions over the party-hoppers getting tickets to contest bypolls from the BJP, Yediyurappa openly admitted the rebels MLAs had "sacrificed" their positions to facilitate the formation of the BJP government.

"It is a historic day. If I could take the oath as chief minister, it is because these 17 MLAs gave up their MLA seats and some even [sacrificed] ministership. After the SC verdict, they are officially joining the party as primary members. I assure them that the party will fulfil the promise made to them. Nowhere in the country have we seen such a sacrifice. I appeal to BJP party workers to work sincerely to secure their victory in the upcoming bypolls," said Yediyurappa.

Yediyurappa also announced that there would be a grand victory ceremony soon after the bypolls. "I am confident of my party wining all 15 seats. Our sole aim should be to ensure the victory of our candidates. We have to gel well with the party workers of the newly inducted leaders too. I would like to reiterate that all 26 MPs, 106 MLAs, leaders and party workers are with you, " said Yediyurappa, assuring all support to the new members.

"Don't heed divisive comments. The central leadership is with you," added the chief minister.

Rao reminded the party workers that the bypolls were crucial to the BJP's expansion in the South. "Karnataka has been a stronghold of our party over the last two decades. In the last Lok Sabha polls, we won 26 seats out of 28 seats. The independent candidate supported by us also won the seat. We have to strive hard to win the bypolls."

A.H. Vishwanath, former MLA from Hunsur, said the rebels, including him, were forced to resign as party politics has collapsed. "We had to quit our party and join the BJP. Can you call it defection? Then, did the voters who elected 26 BJP MPs also defect? The polarisation is visible across the country. It is not defection.”

“Former speaker Ramesh Kumar conspired to keep away all 17 MLAs out of electoral politics. The Supreme Court, by its verdict, has stalled such attempts. We have joined the BJP to take a step forward and to work hard for the development of Karnataka," added Vishwanath.

Another rebel MLA, Dr K. Sudhakar, said the disqualified MLAs were joining the BJP as they had faith in the BJP's ideology and the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yediyurappa. "We decided to join the BJP, a disciplined party, and are aware that there is a huge responsibility on us. We have less than 20 days for the bypolls and we must win all 15 seats and work towards ensuring the party retains power and also expands in central Karnataka."

Hailing the SC verdict, Sudhakar said the decision rekindled faith in justice. "I wish the country sees no other speaker like Ramesh Kumar, who symbolised perversion and cruelty through his ruling."

Leader of the opposition Siddaramaiah warned the disqualified MLAs by saying the people would not vote for "tainted" leaders.

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