MYSORE: AIPJD leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reaffirmed his decision to violate the whip issued by the Janata Dal (Secular) to vote for its official nominees for the Rajya Sabha elections thus queering the pitch for a political battle that may see the realignment of forces in the State.

Mr. Siddaramaiah, who was elected from the Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency on a Janata Dal (S) ticket, technically continues to be a member of that party though he broke away from it to constitute the AIPJD following differences with former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.

The Janata Dal (S) has issued a whip to its members to vote for the official nominees - Rajashekar Murthy and Rajeev Chandrashekar - for the Rajya Sabha elections. If the whip is violated, members will have to forfeit their seats and the right to contest elections for a period of at least six years.

But Mr. Siddaramaiah, appeared defiant on Sunday and told presspersons that he will vote for U.R. Ananthamurthy irrespective of the political fallout of his decision. "I know the consequences of violating the party whip and I am prepared to face them," he added.

When asked if he planned to resign his seat to pre-empt the law from debarring him from contesting elections again, Mr. Siddaramaiah said it will be decided in the meeting to be held on Monday. Meanwhile, other MLAs loyal to Siddaramaiah will decide their course of action in the same meeting scheduled to be held in Bangalore.

Towards Congress camp?

Earlier, Mr. Siddaramaiah was closeted with former Ministers H. Vishwanath, M. Shivanna, M. Mahadev that added grist to the rumour mill that the AIPJD leader may be swaying towards the Congress camp. The meeting was also attended by supporters of AIPJD and Congress workers.

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