Bengaluru: Sixteen Congress MLAs are ready to jump ship and join the BJP ahead of next year’s elections to the Legislative Assembly, according to senior BJP leader C T Ravi.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, the senior leader and former minister disclosed that a list of these 16 MLAs has been finalized, and final round of talks are on with them. “They are waiting for an appropriate time to join the BJP. Perhaps after November or December, these Congress MLAs will take a final call to join the BJP,” Mr. Ravi added.
On the instructions of party president, Amit Shah, the state unit of BJP has decided to woo leaders of all parties. Therefore, even leaders of JD (S) have been sounded and some are set to join the BJP.
The party, however, will not assure tickets to these leaders, Mr. Ravi said adding “Yes. It is true. Any leader joining the party will ask for tickets to contest next year’s elections. But the party is not in a position to give hundred percent assurance to all of them. After weighing the pros and cons, post the entry of new leaders into BJP, the state and central leadership will take a call on giving tickets to them.” Mr Ravi said: "Mr. Shah has instructed us to accommodate as many leaders from Congress and JD (S). He told us one of the success formula for landslide victory in Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections was entry of leaders of other parties into BJP. If a potential leader joins the BJP from Congress or JD(S), he will definitely dent the vote bank of his original party. Welcoming leaders of other parties is also one of the election strategies of the party. I am not in a position to disclose the names and other details of these MLAs who are interested to join our party.”.
