4 dissidents skip Congress Legislature Party meeting in Karnataka

Bengaluru, Jan 18: Four dissidents skipped the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting in Bengaluru on January 18 that was called as a show of strength to counter the alleged bid by the BJP to topple the coalition government in Karnataka.

Their absence posed no imminent threat to the seven-month old Congress-JD(S) government headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy but suggested that all was not well within the Congress, which has been hit by dissidence.

The party will issue notice to Ramesh Jarkiholi, B. Nagendra, Umesh Jadhav and Mahesh Kumatahalli, seeking an explanation from them for their absence, CLP leader Siddaramaiah said.

Briefing reporters after the CLP meeting, Mr. Siddaramaiah said after receiving the replies from the absentee lawmakers, the issue would be discussed with the party high command and State leaders before deciding on the next step.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said Mr. Jadhav had written saying that he would not be able to attend the meet as he was unwell, while Mr. Nagendra had spoken to AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal conveying his inability to attend because of a court case. The other two MLAs had not communicated anything. Mr. Jarkiholi was dropped as Minister in the recent cabinet reshuffle and is said to be extremely unhappy over it

Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, Mr. Siddaramaiah, Mr. Venugopal and State leaders were present at the meeting.

'No threat to govt'

Ahead of the meeting, senior Congress leaders in Karnataka asserted there was no threat to the coalition government while hitting out at the BJP for making “futile attempts” to destabilise it, saying the saffron party’s conspiracy had been “exposed”.

“All are in contact, you cannot say that any one person is not in contact... you [media] had listed out the names of those who may switch from the party. Most of them have come, the others will also come,” Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Dinesh Gundu Rao said.

“Let whatever happen, there is no threat to this government. It will complete five years. The BJP is making futile attempts to destabilise the government,” he said.

Pointing out that the BJP had confined all its State MLAs to a hotel at Gurugram in Haryana, Mr. Rao said he felt “pity” for them. “There is no threat to this government... whatever they may try to do, the government cannot be toppled. The BJP’s conspiracy has been exposed. Wait and watch what will happen in the days to come.”

KPCC working president Eshwar Khandre said he had spoken to Mr. Jadhav, the Chincholi MLA who had allegedly planned to switch to the BJP. “He has told me that he will remain in the Congress... I have trust in him,” he added.

Both Mr. Rao and Mr. Khandre, however, evaded a direct response to a question about Mr. Jarkiholi, the Gokak MLA who has allegedly made up his mind to join the BJP.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Kumaraswamy met Mr. Venugopal in Bengaluru and held discussions on the developments. “They [the BJP leaders] will keep continuing with their ‘Operation Kamal’. I am not bothered about it. It is [State BJP chief] Yeddyurappa’s duty,” Mr. Kumaraswamy told reporters.

Mr. Kumaraswamy said he would not be available for two days and that he had a packed schedule, including a visit to Kolkata and personal programmes. He called on Mr. Venugopal as he would not be able to meet him during the period, he added.

Let them indulge in squabbles: Yeddyurappa

As the CLP was under way, Mr. Yeddyurappa said several legislators appeared to be attending the meet out of compulsion. “Let them indulge in squabbles... we have nothing to do with it.”

He said the ruling coalition was claiming the support of some BJP MLAs and it was because of this that the party had decided they should stay together in a hotel in Gurugram.

In the 224-member Assembly, the BJP has 104 members, Congress 79, JD(S) 37 and the BSP and the KPJP one each, besides and independent and the Speaker. The BSP is supporting the government.

The independent and the KPJP member (who is being treated as an indpendent as the party is not recognised) have announced withdrawal of their support to the government. Mr. Yeddyurappa has claimed that they are backing the BJP.