Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Sep 14: It is said that several BJP leaders have been staking claim for the vacant berths in the state ministry that have reportedly been earmarked for the disgruntled MLAs. These legislators, who deserted their parties with high hopes, are currently holding their fingers crossed over their appeal pending in the Supreme Court against the order of the assembly speaker.
It is said that the BJP leadership had promised eight ministerial berths for the disqualified MLAs and given assurance to accommodate the others in boards and corporations. As the then assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar, disqualified all these MLAs unexpectedly, they could not be made ministers immediately. As there has been inordinate delay in hearing their appeal that has been preferred in the Supreme Court, these vacancies have not been filled so far. The Supreme Court has said it is not in favour of taking up the appeals on urgent basis. BJP MLAs have been demanding for accommodating them in the vacant ministries till the disqualified MLAs come clean and join the BJP.
Disqualified MLAs (file photo)
The ministerial aspirants feel that keeping the vacancies unfilled in the ministry will work to the detriment of state's development in the absence of ministers. If the case drags for long, they point out, the party and aspirants will both suffer losses. They say they are ready to give up the posts as soon as the air of uncertainty is cleared. Similar demands have also come for filling posts in boards and corporations that have been currently meant for the disqualified legislators. The BJP leaders have promised to vacate their positions as and when the occasion demands for it.
In the meantime, disqualified MLAs held meeting at the guest house of Dr K Sudhakar to discuss about their future plans. Those present at the meeting in general expressed unhappiness at the failure of the BJP to extend full support for their efforts including legal support, it is learnt. They are also worried at the information that some JD(S) MLAs have decided to openly support the BJP. As such, they think, the BJP government does not face problem of stability, and therefore, might show disinterestedness towards their plight. They know that they cannot fight elections until the Supreme Court delivers verdict. They are worried about chances of bypoll being announced even as their appeal is pending in Supreme Court. They want their case to be strongly placed before the judges if the appeal comes before the bench on September 16 as a result of their efforts.
B C Patil however said that none of the legislators are apprehensive about their future, and loss of assembly membership does not mean the end of life for them. He said that their application is before the court and development works in their constituencies are continuing. He said that these MLAs will meet the chief minister for undertaking additional development activities in their constituencies. On the issue of JD(S) legislators supporting the BJP, he said that it is their individual prerogative and the disqualified legislators are not bothered by it.