Opposition in Karnataka BJP against allotment of tickets to disqualified MLAs
Bengaluru, Sept 24: Even as the fate of 17 disqualified Congress-JD(S) MLAs is yet to be decided by the Supreme Court with respect to their eligibility to contest the October 21 bypolls in Karnataka, there is growing opposition within the state BJP against giving tickets to them.
The saffron party that came to power with the help of these 17 disqualified MLAs, plans to field most them as candidates in the by-polls after getting respite from the Apex Court, where they have challenged their disqualification.
In case of not getting any relief, there is a plan to field one of their family members as candidates, party sources said.
However, there is resistance to the move in several constituencies, from ticket aspirants and party candidates defeated during the 2018 assembly polls, stating that tickets should be given to loyal party cadres who have worked to build it.
Hosakote is one among the key constituencies, where party is facing such situation, as supporters of Sharath Bachegowda, who was the BJP candidate during 2018 assembly polls and faced defeat, thronged Chief Minister B S Yeiyurappa's residence and demanding ticket for their leader.
Supporters vehemently opposed any move by the party to allot ticket to disqualified legislator M T B Nagaraj, and even reportedly suggested party leadership that they were even okay with making him MLC and Minister, but not a MLA.
Bachegowda's supporters even threatened that he may contest independently if the party denied him ticket, even as his father reportedly met Yediyurappa amid reports that the Congress was trying to lure his son.
Similar resistance has been witnessed in Mahalakshmi Layout, Kagawada, Yeshwanthpur among others.
However, senior BJP leaders are hopeful that party's local leaders and workers would be taken into confidence about ticket allotment to disqualified MLAs.
"We are hopeful that our party men will understand, they know the situation and how crucial this election is for the party to stay in power.. it is because of the resignation of these MLAs, BJP was able to come to power," a senior party functionary said.
By-elections to constituencies represented by 15 out of 17 disqualified former Congress-JD(S) legislators would be held on October 21 and results would be declared on October 24.
The 15 constituencies that will go to polls are Athani, Kagwad, Gokak, Yellapura, Hirekerur, Ranibennur, Vijayanagara, Chikkaballapura, K R Pura, Yeshwanthpura, Mahalakshmi Layout, Shivajinagara, Hosakote, K R Pete, Hunsur.
Among the 15 constituencies going for polls, 12 were represented by Congress and 3 by JD(S).
Winning most seats in this by-elections is crucial for BJP to stay in power.
The ruling party has a 105 MLAs (including one independent) in the assembly whose current strength is 208 (after 17 disqualification).
While the Congress' strength is 66, JD(S) has 34 MLAs in the Assembly that also consists of one BSP member, a nominated member and the Speaker.
The actual strength of the assembly is 225 and the half way mark is 113.
BJP will need to win at least six seats in the bypolls for 15 constituencies, to remain in majority in the assembly, which will still have two vacant seats (Maski and R R Nagar).
Absence and resignation of 17 Congress-JD(S) MLAs during the trust vote had led to the collapse of the H D Kumaraswamy headed coalition government in July, and helped BJP to come to power.
After examining the petition moved by leadership of both parties, the then assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar had disqualified 17 Congress and JD(S) MLAs and one independent under the anti-defection law, which they have challenged in the Supreme Court.
The matter will come up before the court on Wednesday.
The then Speaker had ruled that those disqualified, cease to be MLAs with immediate effect till the expiry of the 15th assembly (in 2023).
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
