17 disqualified MLAs up ante, push for cabinet berths again, BJP bosses cold

Bengaluru: The fledgling Yediyurappa government is facing its first challenge with the disqualified Congress and JD(S) MLAs reportedly turning restive at being relegated to the sidelines by the BJP leadership despite their cooperation in installing a BJP government in the state

They are said to be deeply disturbed at the manner in which the state Cabinet was formed recently and the lack of interest shown by the BJP leadership in pursuing their disqualification case pending before the Supreme Court.

The angry legislators led by Mr Ramesh Jarkiholi have tried to meet party national president Amit Shah in Delhi to air their grievances, but were not able to see him even until Thursday evening.

Soon after the Speaker disqualified all 17 legislators, Mr. Yediyurappa assured them that the Supreme Court would quash his order soon, allowing them to join the Cabinet. But seeing the slow pace of hearing in the SC and the lack of interest shown by the BJP leadership in giving it a nudge, the MLAs are reportedly feeling restless and unhappy.

Although Mr. Yediyurappa asked his son B.Y. Vijayendra and newly appointed minister, Dr. Ashwathnarayana, to pacify them, they refused to speak to them and demanded a meeting with Chief Minister himself, according to sources. Mr. Yediyurappa then met the disqualified MLAs and assured them that the hearing of their cases would be fast tracked through senior counsels. But refusing to be pacified, Mr Ramesh Jarkiholi is said to have raised strong objection to the induction of defeated Athani MLA Laxman Savadi into the Cabinet arguing it would harm the prospects of his supporter, Mahesh Kumtalli, who had resigned as Athani MLA to help BJP form the government. The disqualified MLAs were also adamant that the plum portfolios should not go to BJP ministers alone, reveal sources.