Estranged BJP MLA ST Somashekar holds meeting with Congress
Bengaluru, Apr 5: Estranged BJP MLA S T Somashekar on Friday allegedly held a meeting of his supporters to back the Congress candidate for the 2024 polls from Bangalore North Lok Sabha segment M V Rajeev Gowda, eliciting sharp reactions from the saffron party.
Rajeev Gowda, Minister Krishna Byre Gowda and other Congress leaders are seen in the pictures of the purported meeting held by the MLA in the city, which was telecast by some news channels.
The MLA from Yeshwanthpur in the city had voted in favour of Congress citing "conscience", during the polls to four seats of Rajya Sabha from Karnataka on February 27, which had caused embarrassment to the BJP.
Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje is the BJP candidate from Bangalore North and Somashekar had recently expressed his displeasure about the choice.
Claiming that he has been insulted by the BJP and its candidate, as "they don't want him", Somashekar said his supporters and people have asked him to cooperate with those who help for the development of the constituency.
ALSO READ: Police seize Rs 30 Lakh undocumented cash and sarees worth Rs 2 Lakh in Kalaburagi
BJP reacted strongly to Somashekar's move to hold the meeting.
"S T Somashekar has kept his foot outside the BJP. He has also voted against the party in the Rajya Sabha polls. So this question does not arise at all. He cannot be called our party legislator now," senior BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka told reporters, when asked about the meeting with Congress leaders.
When asked why the party is not expelling him, he said, "the state (unit) has no powers to expel an MLA, only central leaders have the powers. Let the election be over, the central leaders will decide what they have to do."
State BJP President B Y Vijayendra said, "'Vinash Kale Viprit Buddhi'...We (party) will see about it in the days to come. He has committed the biggest mistake in his political life and he will pay for it."
Somashekar has already been issued a notice by the party for violating the whip in the recent Rajya Sabha polls, to which he has given a 170-page reply.
Speaking to reporters about the meeting, Somashekar said, "I had called a meeting of all those who are close to me in the constituency and have given them the information regarding the developments so far...The Lok Sabha candidate has been announced, the candidate has come to my constituency seven to eight times, till now she has neither approached me nor sought my support. When not asked, what should I do?"
Stating that he has spoken to all concerned in the constituency and none have opposed him, he said, "My self esteem has been hurt....They have asked me to cooperate with those who help the constituency."
Asked about the possibility of BJP serving him another notice, Somashekar said, "Let them give whatever they want, let them do whatever they want."
On whether he will officially join the Congress, he said, "Why should I join? There is no necessity for me to join."
"The BJP doesn't want me. The BJP candidate didn't approach me, what should I do? I have been insulted. Should we welcome someone, who was told -- go back, go back -- in Udupi-Chikmagalur," he added.
Karandlaje currently represents Udupi-Chikmagalur candidate, and there was a 'Shobha go back' campaign against her in the segment, which is said to be one among the primary reasons for her being shifted to Bangalore North.
Somashekhar was earlier in the Congress. He was among 17 Congress-JD(S) legislators, who had quit from their parties, which ultimately led to the collapse of the then H D Kumaraswamy-led coalition government in July, 2019.
He had subsequently won the bypoll on BJP ticket and served as Minister in the previous government headed by the party.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Five to six opposition MLAs might cross over to Mahayuti in few months: NCP chief whip Anil Patil
Mumbai, Nov 24: There is unrest in the Maha Vikas Aghadi camp and its five to six MLAs might join the ruling Mahayuti in the next few months, claimed NCP chief whip Anil Patil, who has retained his Amalner assembly seat, on Sunday.
The MVA of Congress, NCP (SP) and Shiv Sena (UBT) suffered a crushing blow in the Maharashtra assembly polls, winning only 46 of the state's 288 seats. By contrast, the BJP-led ruling coalition, which also has NCP and Shiv Sena as partners, bagged an impressive 230 seats.
“There is tremendous unrest among some NCP (SP), Congress and Sena (UBT) MLAs who have been re-elected. Those having good relations with us have expressed concerns over MVA’s massive defeat,” Patil told Marathi news channel ABP Majha.
If one wants development works in his constituency, it is good to be in power, said the legislator from Ajit Pawar’s party.
“The MVA MLAs feel their future is uncertain. It shouldn’t be a surprise if five to six MLAs cross over to the Mahayuti in the next four months,” he said.
In the results of the Maharashtra polls declared on Saturday, BJP won in 132 constituencies, while its partners Shiv Sena and NCP walked away with 57 and 41 seats, respectively.
From the MVA camp, Shiv Sena (UBT) bagged 20 seats followed by Congress’ 16 and 10 by NCP (SP).
