Bengaluru: The rebel legislators now camping at an unknown destination have said they are ready to face any consequences but will not return to their respective parties at any cost.
This has virtually sealed the hopes of the Congress and JD(S) to win at least a few of them over and defeat the confidence motion when it is moved by new CM B.S. Yeddyurappa in the assembly.
In fact, many state Congress leaders had felt that the disqualification of Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi, Athani MLA Mahesh Kumtalli and Ranebennur MLA R. Shankar would make the rebel legislators change their mind and return to the coalition. However, they continue to be defiant and said no leader had the guts to convince them to change their mind.
Talking to reporters from a secret destination, JD(S) MLA A.H. Vishwanath said all the rebels were united . “We are like a rock, none can shake us,” he said. Hirekerur Congress MLA B.C. Patil said it was wrong on the part of any leader to assume that they could threaten the rebels with the weapon of ‘disqualification’. None of them wanted the coalition government to continue, which was why they did not back it during the trust vote. They would not go back on their decision even if they had to retire from politics, he said.
The disqualification of three MLAs would be questioned in the Supreme Court, Mr Patil said adding that they did not have any immediate plans of returning to Bengaluru. On Thursday, senior BJP leaders held a meeting with legal experts and were reportedly assured that the Speaker's order would not stand the scrutiny of law as the petition of three MLAs was still pending before the SC. The BJP leaders have decided to question the Speaker's order in the apex court as the three MLAs had not indulged in anti-party activity as claimed by the Congress nor have they 'violated' the whip since it was issued after they tendered their resignation. The rebels are now waiting for the Speaker to announce his decision on their resignations and the disqualification petition filed against them. Meanwhile, Mr B.C. Patil's wife said she would support any decision taken by her husband as everything had been done for a good purpose. On Thursday night, Mr Yediyurappa spoke to the rebels and assured them that his party would prote
ct them to the hilt.
