Bengaluru: A dozen red-faced ruling party legislators on Saturday demanded strict disciplinary action against MLC V.S. Ugrappa over a botched strategy which resulted in defeat of the no-confidence motion against Chairman of Legislative Council D.K. Shankaramurthy by a single vote.
These legislators, led by S. T. Somashekhar, Muniratna Naidu and K.N. Rajanna, shot off a letter to KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar, and demanded that a detailed report be sent to central leaders on Mr Ugrappa’s role in the unsuccessful move to oust Mr Shankaramurthy. In the letter, with contents leaked to the media, the legislators charged that a section of MLCs took a unilateral decision to move the no-confidence motion against the Chairman. “Failed no-confidence motion indicates that it was done without proper planning and strategy. A section of MLCs led by Mr Ugrappa seem to have carried out this in a hurry. These kind of acts will only strengthen JD(S)’s equations with communal forces,” the letter containing 12 signatures of ruling party MLAs maintained.
Dr Parameshwar, however, put in place a damage-control exercise immediately, feigning ignorance of any complaint from legislators against Mr Ugrappa. He, however, admitted that some MLAs had expressed their “displeasure informally” to him. “This is common when we plan and strategise some actions. Politically some click and some don’t, but each failed strategy provides us a chance each one of us to ponder over it. Surely, the party will take note of this, and soon discuss it within the party forum,” he explained.
According to him, though some of MLAs are upset as the party suffered a loss of face due to failed floor test, nothing could be reversed at this juncture.
“Now what we can do is understand and recognise their (disgruntled MLAs) pain and try not to repeat such acts in future. I will take up this matter with CM Siddaramaiah too,” he added.
According to him, the Congress, despite having sizeable votes, had offered complete support to the Janata Dal (Secular) to ensure that the no-confidence motion sails through. “It was the JD(S) which chose to side with the BJP at the last moment. Therefore, we lost the our no-confidence motion by single vote,” he explained. Mr Ugrappa was at the receiving end of the ire of some senior ministers soon after the defeat of the no-confidence motion. They felt that Mr Ugrappa did not discuss all options with senior leaders but attempted a solo flight.
