Daijworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Jan 26: Former chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah on Sunday January 26 said that rebel MLAs who had abandoned the party to join BJP in the hope of securing ministerial berths have been taught a 'fitting lesson' with chief minister B S Yediyurappa stating that it was not possible to accomodate the rebel MLAs who lost the recent bypolls in the cabinet.
Dissident MLAs H Vishwanath and M T B Nagaraj lost the recent bye-elections to the Karnataka assembly. However, despite losing, they had demanded cabinet berths. CM Yediyurappa however made it clear that those who lost the bypolls would not be given ministerial positions.
Reacting to this, Siddaramaiah, while speaking to reporters at the 71st Republic Day celebrations at KPCC office, said, "This is a fitting lesson to the traitors who deceived their parties (Congress and JD(S)) and brought down the coalition government. Everyone who is unfaithful should receive the same punishment," Siddaramaiah said.
On meeting Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi despite having tendered his resignation as leader of Congress legislature party, Siddarmaiah declined to comment and said, "Congress high command will resolve the opposition leader issue."
Recalling the sacrifice of those who laid down their lives for the freedom of the country, Siddaramaiah said, "We have got independence due to the sacrifice of scores of people. Our Constitution is the best in the world. However, BJP does not believe in it. They believe in 'Manuvada' or class system. Every now and then BJP says that they need to change the Constitution. We have to protect our Constitution. India has been in danger of losing its secular outlook ever since BJP assumed power."
Taking to Twitter, Siddaramaiah again stressed on the need to protect the Constitution. "We Indians are facing a threat by anti-nationals who are in a hurry to destroy basic tenets of our Constitution. We should take an opportunity on this #RepublicDay2020 to understand the importance & fight against evil forces. I wish you all a Happy #RepublicDayIndia," he tweeted.