Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 18: Congress leaders are upbeat after succeeding in snatching back four of its disgruntled MLAs who were reportedly preparing to change their loyalties. With this, they seem to have got an upper hand in the tussle for power.

Buoyed by its success, Congress has called for special Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting here today in order to show its unity and strength and challenge BJP to try to engineer defections. Reports about Yallapur MLA, Shivaram Hebbar, and independent MLA from Mulbagal, H Nagesh, returning to the party fold, have infused more confidence in the Congress camp. Bheema Naik and Basangouda Daddal, who were in the dissidents’ camp, have already said they are loyal to the Congress party.

CLP leader Siddaramaiah

CLP leader, Siddaramaiah, has warned that MLAs absenting from the CLP meeting will face action from the party. He said that action will be taken under the provisions of anti defection law and tenth schedule of the constitution by treating that the absentee MLAs have volunteered to forgo their memberships. It would be interesting to see whether MLAs, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Mahesh Kamatalli, Umesh Jadhav, B Nagendra, and a few other MLAs will attend the CLP.

Nagendra who appeared before the city civil court here on Thursday in response to summons relating to illegal mining, is required to be in the court again on Friday. Therefore he said it might be difficult for him to participate in CLP. At the same time, he clarified that he would not be joining the BJP. Another MLA facing similar case, Anand Singh, who represents Vijayanagar constituency, also appeared in the court. He said he would attend the CLP meeting.

BJP state president, B S Yeddyurappa, stated again on Thursday that his party is not indulging in any operation, and that if any Congress legislators leave the party, it may be their own decision because of internal fights within the party and frustration at the way of functioning of the chief minister.