Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Sep 24: State in-charge of Congress party, K C Venugopal has given strict warning to Congress MLAs that the party will not tolerate blackmail tactics of its legislators.
Venugopal also said that the party will not tolerate violation of discipline under any circumstances. Stringent action will be taken against people who will act against the interests of the party being the members of Congress.
"MLAs should discuss their issues on the party forum and find out solutions for the same. The coalition government should not face any trouble due to Congress," said Venugopal and thereby indirectly sent a warning to rebel legislators of the party.
Venugopal further said, "Congress is a very strong party. It will efficiently handle acts like 'Operation Kamala'. Yeddyurappa is doing horse-trading. From the time the coalition government has come to power, he is trying to woo our legislators. But none of his attempts will succeed."
"Yeddyurappa has made an offer of crores of rupees to our legislators on WhatsApp calls. How he gets so much money? What moral right he has got to speak about corruption?” he questioned.
"Cabinet extension will take place soon. The process will be completed before October 10. It will not be postponed for any reason. I am saying this for the last time," Venugopal confirmed.
When the scribes questioned about the visit of MLAs M T B Nagaraj and Sudhakar to Chennai, Venugopal said, "Chennai is a beautiful city. Why they should not go there? We have complete faith in our MLAs."
About the plan for upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Venugopal said, "Our aim to get the maximum number of seats from Karnataka in the coming Lok Sabha elections. We will be starting our work in this direction in the coming days."
KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao said, "Congress party will not budge for the blackmail tactics and threatening of anyone. People who violate party discipline have to face serious action. I am also trying to gather more information in this regard."
Desperate attempt to hold back dissidents
The exercise of pacifying the rebel Congress MLAs and holding them back in the party continued on Sunday, September 23 also. Three Congress MLAs, who had been to Chennai have returned to the capital. Siddaramaiah spoke to MLA Sudhakar, while Venugopal had a discussion with MLA M T B Nagaraj and tried to calm them down and advised both not to take any hasty decision.
It is also learnt that Siddaramaiah has spoken to another dissident legislator B C Patil and assured him that he will create opportunities for the legislator in the coming days.