Disqualified MLAs to join BJP on Thursday; HDK wants anti-defection law scrapped

All the 17 Karnataka rebel MLAs, whose disqualification was upheld by the Supreme Court but were allowed to contest the December 5 bypolls, would join the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday.

“All the disqualified MLAs have met our party’s national organising secretary and will be joining the party tomorrow. However, a decision on fielding them as the party candidates will be taken at the core committee meeting,” said Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwathnarayan on Wednesday, clarifying the party’s stand on inducting the rebels MLAs from the Congress and the JD(S), whose resignation had led to the collapse of the coalition government and paved way for the BJP coming to power in the state. 

The Congress has welcomed the SC verdict which prevents the rebels from holding any constitutional position in the government before getting elected. The party also reminded the disqualified MLAs that they were yet to “face the music” from the electorate. 

Former prime minister and JD(S) patriarch H.D. Deve Gowda made his displeasure over the apex court order stating that he had little to comment on the “political morality” issue raised by the court. Gowda also took a dig at former chief minister Siddaramaiah, saying, “he will be forced to play the role of the leader of opposition as Yediyurappa will remain the chief minister for the next three and a half years.”

Former chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who lost not only three seats but also the power due to the mass rebellion, took refuge in sarcasm and hit back at the BJP. “I now wonder if there is any necessity for an anti-defection law in this country. The experts have debated on the need for the Tenth Schedule to curb defections in the past too. I feel we must give an open opportunity for rebel MLAs to openly defect to fulfill their individual aspirations. Defections should be made legal. I urge (Union Home Minster) Amit Shah and (Prime Minister) Modi, who have made history by abrogating Article 370 to also scrap the Tenth Schedule. I regret that the rebels felt harassed by the anti-defection law. I can imagine their trauma over the last two months,” mocked Kumaraswamy. 

Siddu helped BJP win: HDK 

Kumaraswamy also blamed Siddaramaiah for the BJP bagging 104 seats in the May 2018 Assembly elections. “If not for Siddaramaiah, the BJP would not have crossed 70 seats in the elections. But Siddaramaiah, during the election campaign, made Rahul Gandhi say that JD(S) was the B-team of the BJP and created fear among the Muslim voters. This time again, he is trying his old trick by saying the JD(S) is in a secret pact with the BJP. We will be fielding candidates across all 14 seats and intend to support Bache Gowda in Hoskote, if he contests as an Independent,” said Kumaraswamy, who claimed that his party would not strike an alliance with either of the two national parties.

“You have seen the plight of Maharashtra. Both the national parties are playing with the lives of people. I am sure my party will win not just the three seats that we have lost, but another three more. My party workers will ensure that we do. Now, why would I extend support to BJP? What has been its achievements in the last three months? If Congress is so powerful, why is it inducting Raju Kage from the BJP to contest the polls in Belagavi?,” asked Kumaraswamy, even as speculations are rife that Congress was divided over joining hands with the JD(S) for the bypolls.