HD Kumaraswamy: Disciplinary action against five dissidents after elections
HASSAN: State Janata Dal (Secular) president and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday said that he would initiate disciplinary action against the five dissident legislators of his party after the June 11 polls to the Rajya Sabha for reportedly aligning with the Congress party.
It may be recalled here that Janata Dal (Secular) MLAs Cheluvarayaswamy, Zameer Ahmed Khan, Iqbal Ansari, Balakrishna and Akhanda Srinivas have reportedly expressed their support to the Congress party in the coming Rajya Sabha elections.
At a press conference here, Mr Kumaraswamy said, “Only one of the five MLAs has openly backed the Congress, the others have not said anything in public.”
Mr Kumaraswamy said that his party has chosen industrialist Farooq for the Rajya Sabha and asked Congress legislators to vote according to their conscience.
On the policemen going on a protest on June 4, Mr Kumaraswamy remarked that that the Indian Police Service officers sitting in air-conditioned chambers cannot understand the problems faced by the constables in discharging their duties.
“Let IPS officers work for two-days in night shift to understand the problems faced by the constables,” he said and wanted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to visit his constituency, Ramanagar, to understand the plight of policemen. The former Chief Minister also alleged that in order to get works done in the Public Works department, commission of about 15 per cent of the total cost has to be paid.
‘Probe Cong poll malpractices’
Janata Dal (Secular) has urged the Election Commission to hold an inquiry into the corrupt practices being adopted by the ruling Congress party to secure the support of ten independent legislators for its candidates in the biennial Rajya Sabha polls.
In a letter addressed to the chief election commissioner a copy of which was released to the media, State JD(S) spokesperson Ramesh Babu said some independent MLAs have stated that they are going to vote for the Congress sponsored candidate, Mr K.C. Ramamurthy following an assurance of crores of rupees for development of their constituencies by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
In fact, all these legislators had signed on the nomination papers of another candidate, Mr Farook but on the same day, they have shifted their loyalty to the Congress party, he claimed.
The favour being shown to the independent legislators is a clear indication of corrupt practices in the polls, he said while demanding a thorough inquiry to expose the possible payment of bribes.
