Bengaluru: Adopting a tough stand against four rebel MLAs who continue to remain elusive despite showcause notices served on them, KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao on Tuesday announced that these legislators would be asked to appear before senior leaders and explain about their absence at the crucial legislature party meeting held here on January 18.
Mr Rao told the media here these legislators would be given another chance to offer an explanation about their absence at the CLP. "I think this time they have to come. It is also true that they have not yet come to us, but have only written letters. Therefore, we will issue another notice, and they will be asked to attend a CLP meeting and explain their absence. I am hoping that they will turn up, and offer valid reasons for skipping the CLP meeting," he added.
The MLAs-Ramesh Jarkiholi, B. Nagendra, Umesh Jadhav and Mahesh Kumathalli- had skipped the CLP meeting on January 18 billed as a show of strength in order to counter an attempt by the BJP to topple the coalition government.
They were allegedly camping in a hotel in Mumbai along with BJP leaders, with plans to jump ship. In the wake of such reports, the MLAs were handed notices, seeking an explanation for their absence and why action should not be taken against them under the anti- defection Act. The MLAs responded to the notice but failed to turn up so far.
Answering a question, Mr Rao issued another round of warning to party workers against crossing the line vis-à-vis coalition politics.
The KPCC president also maintained that there was no argument over the CM's position in the coalition government. "There is no ambiguity about this," he added.
