Karnataka: Congress-JD(S) Faces Fresh Scare Post Lok Sabha Election Drubbings, Two Rebel MLAs Meet Top BJP Leader
The legislators - Ramesh Jarkiholi and K Sudhakar - were seen at the residence of former chief minister and Congress-turned-BJP leader SM Krishna.
Bengaluru, May 27: In a fresh scare to the stability of Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka, two MLAs in the "rebel camp" have reportedly made first overtures to the BJP. The legislators - Ramesh Jarkiholi and K Sudhakar - were seen at the residence of former chief minister and Congress-turned-BJP leader SM Krishna.
During the meeting, senior BJP leader R Ashok was also present, reported a leading English daily. Jarkiholi and Sudhakar, while speaking to reporters, agreed to have met Krishna but called it a courtesy visit. BJP Offered Rs 60 Crore, Ministerial Post to One ‘JDS Person’, Says MLA KM Shivalinge Gowda
The two leaders said they reached out to Krishna to only congratulate him after the BJP won 25 out of the 28 Lok Sabha seats.
The massive mandate awarded to the BJP has sparked off speculations of dessertions within the Congress-JD(S) rank, as the rival saffron party is enjoying an "all-time high popularity" in the state.
At present, the BJP is the single-largest party in Karnataka assembly, with 104 MLAs in the 222-member House. The Congress with 80 seats and the JD(S) with 38 formed a post-poll alliance to form the government.
Ahead of the general elections, reports said 7-8 MLAs of the Congress, including Jarkiholi and Sudhakar, were in touch with the BJP state top brass.
The alleged cross-over bid lost momentum after a leaked phone conversation, in which a voice which is alleged to be of BS Yeddyurappa is heard offering bribe to the legislators to jump ship to the BJP camp.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 27, 2019 10:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).