Bangalore: The Janata Dal (Secular) leadership is unlikely to take serious note of the defiance of the party whip by some of its MLAs in Tuesday's biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha. "The party has taken it coolly," is what sources say.

The former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the former Minister H.C. Mahadevappa and B.R. Patil dared the party leadership by defying the whip. With JD(S) national president H.D. Deve Gowda staying clear of the legislature party, it is up to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to initiate action, if any.

Whip couriered

The whip was issued to the JD(S) MLAs by courier to ensure that the leadership has a delivery acknowledgement. No political party in the State has issued a whip by courier so far.

Sources in the JD(S) said it is for the leader of the legislature party to decide whether to initiate action against those who defied the whip, or play it down.

The whip was issued by Chief Whip K. Annadani. It is now for him to bring the matter to the notice of Mr. Kumaraswamy. Action could include writing to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the Election Commission seeking the disqualification of the members who defied the whip. Any action initiated against the three legislators will end up with the matter taken to court.

Being seasoned politicians, the members concerned are not unaware of the consequences of their action.

Five of the eight dissident MLAs — K.M. Krishnamurthy, K. Venkatesh, M. Mahadev, Somashekar and H.Y. Meti — associated with the Siddaramaiah group, however, voted as per the whip. They were directed to vote in favour of the party candidate, M. Rajasekhara Murthy, and they complied with the directive.

Mr. Siddaramaiah, Mr. Patil and Dr. Mahadevappa voted for U.R. Ananthamurthy. Interestingly, Mr. Siddaramaiah even attended the Congress Legislature Party meeting held a day before the Rajya Sabha elections.

Sources in the JD(S) said initiating action against the three MLAs will result in another round of allegations and counter-allegations, much to the glee of the Congress. Thus ignoring the matter will suit the party better.

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