Bangalore: The Janata Dal (Secular) is unlikely to let pass the manner in which the former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the MLAs supporting him allegedly defied the party whip and voted in favour of the Congress in Thursday's elections to the Legislative Council. The party is expected to press for the disqualification of the rebel legislators, who, in all probability, will take the issue to court in such an event.

Sources in the JD(S) told The Hindu here on Friday that the party's prestige was at stake. The defiance has shocked the top leadership of the party, which believed that at least five of the eight legislators concerned would vote for the official candidate. The JD(S), however, anticipated the eventuality and had already sought the disqualification of the rebels.

Even the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was faced with indiscipline with some of its legislators defying the whip to vote for the JD(S). The BJP leadership is hesitant to take action against the legislators concerned for fear of straining the relationship between the coalition partners.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa have said the results of the Council elections would not have any effect on the coalition Government.

Mr. Siddaramaiah and B.R. Patil, MLA, told The Hindu that some legislators had voted against the JD(S) candidate in defiance of the party whip. They pointed out that it was a secret ballot and it could not be proved that legislators defied the whip. "We are ready for any challenge and are well prepared. We are even ready for elections and are confident that we will be triumphant. The people are aware of the principles for which we are fighting," Mr. Siddaramaiah said.

`A different cup of tea'

Asked about their defiant stand since some of them had obeyed the party whip in the recent elections to the Rajya Sabha, Mr. Patil said the Rajya Sabha elections were a different cup of tea. Voters had to show their vote to the polling agent of the party concerned.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail