Many BJP MLAs will join Congress after LS poll verdict, says KC Venugopal

Kalaburagi: AICC general secretary, K C Venugopal claimed here on Monday that contrary to BJP claims that legislators of the coalition partners in the state government would join it after the Lok Sabha results were declared on
May 23, there would in reality be an exodus of BJP legislators to the Congress once they were announced.

Mr Venugopal, who was speaking to reporters in Chincholi where he was campaigning for Congress candidate, Subash Rathod for the May 19 assembly bypoll, said, “How can they (BJP) destabilise the government as without
any effort from our end, BJP MLAs will join the Congress. Although BJP has been trying to indulge in horsetrading over the last year, it has not succeeded. We are not only going to win both seats in the bypolls, but also a
majority of Lok Sabha seats in the state.”

Mr Venugopal also exuded confidence that a Congress government led by its president, Rahul Gandhi would assume office at the Centre after May 23. “We are quite confident that in the coming elections, a Congress-led
government will be formed at the Centre. The people of the country want a change and this will happen after May 23,” he asserted.

On reports of former Chief Minister Siddaramaih nursing ambitions to become CM again, he said there would be no change of leadership in the state post the Lok Sabha election results.

“Mr Siddaramaiah has himself made it clear that there will be change of guard in the state and I believe him,” he added.

When his attention was drawn to state JD(S)'s chief Vishwanath's comment that Congress strength had been reduced to 79 in the state assembly under Mr Siddaramaiah’s leadership, Mr Venugopal retorted, “This is an old story.
The Congress and JD(S) are together and this relationship will continue because we need to face our common enemy, the BJP. “

KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao hit out at the BJP for spreading “misinformation” that the coalition government would fall after May 23.

When his attention was drawn to the wordy duel between Mr Siddaramaiah and Mr Vishwanth, he said he had already issued a statement on this.