17 Karnataka rebel MLAs to turn saffron today
There is however some indecision on Athani, Ranebennur, and Shivajinagar constituencies, according to party sources.
Bengaluru: Hours after the Supreme Court gave its order allowing the disqualified MLAs to contest the December 5 byelections, the state BJP swung into action to induct all 17 into the party and brainstormed on fielding them as its candidates for the seats that have fallen vacant following their resignations in July to bring down the Kumaraswamy government.
The former legislators, headed by Mr Ramesh Jarkiholi met BJP national organising secretary, B.L. Santhosh in Delhi, and discussed with him the formalities of joining the party and later left for Bengaluru where they will join the saffron party on Thursday.
Soon after the verdict, in an effort to gain a head start over rival parties, Chief Minister B.S Yediyurappa and state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel on Wednesday held a meeting with all 17 legislators, to discuss strategies for the bypolls scheduled for December 5. and decided to induct all the disqualified MLAs into the party.
There is however some indecision on Athani, Ranebennur, and Shivajinagar constituencies, according to party sources. Mr. Aravinda Limbavali is in-charge of the byelections to the 15 constituencies.