The Hindu : Karnataka News : BJP removes rebel MLAs' aides from taluk-level panels

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Tuesday, Oct 19, 2010
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Karnataka

Karnataka

BJP removes rebel MLAs' aides from taluk-level panels

B. S. Satish Kumar

About 60 nominations in each of the 16 Assembly constituencies cancelled
BJP trying to negate the influence of rebel MLAs

BANGALORE: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has withdrawn the nominations made to various government committees in the Assembly constituencies represented by the 16 disqualified legislators, including eleven of the BJP.

According to sources in the BJP, those whose appointments have been struck down are the members appointed by the rebel MLAs to provide political accommodation to their followers. The committees in which the nominations made by rebel MLAs have been cancelled include Ashraya housing, Aradhana, school development monitoring committees, hostels and colleges' committees. About 60 nominations in each of the 16 Assembly constituencies are learnt to have been cancelled.

Through such an action, the party is trying to negate the political influence of these rebel MLAs. This, the party believes, will weaken the base of these MLAs in their own constituencies as these prominent decision-making bodies will not have their representatives. Already the rebel MLAs cannot be part of these committees as they have been disqualified by the Speaker.

These committees hold a lot of influence at taluk-level as decision regarding various development schemes related to important sectors such as housing, education and hostels will be made by them.

Meanwhile the 11 rebel MLAs, who have been disqualified by the Speaker for writing a letter to the Governor indicating withdrawal of their support to the BJP Government, are learnt to be sending feelers to the BJP leadership to take them back to the party fold after Chief Minister B S. Yeddyurappa won the trust vote for a second time by a margin of six votes. According to sources, the party had not made any commitment regarding their request as the case regarding their disqualification is before the court. The party has adopted a “wait-and-watch” policy .

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