Karnataka minister: Rebel MLAs, the reason behind BJP govt formation

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa's colleague and the state's Rural Development Minister KS Eshwarappa said that BJP has formed the government in the state due to resignation of rebel MLAs of Kumaraswami government; hence, they will not be left behind. This statement is in conflict with Yediyurappa's denial of having any links with the 17 disqualified MLAs.

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'We are with the rebel MLAs'

While speaking to reporters Eshwarappa said that the rebel MLAs should be credited for BJP coming to power in the state. "The MLAs who resigned from the Assembly are the reason behind the government formation and I am sitting in front of you as a minister. There is no question of leaving their hands. We are with them," he said.

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Yediyurappa on Monday refrained from giving credit to the rebel MLAs and denied having any links with them. However, a tape allegedly of Yediyurappa had surfaced saying that the decision of the 17 Congress-JDS MLAs to resign was taken by the central leadership of the BJP, and its workers should honor the sacrifice of the rebel MLAs. On the contrary, while speaking to media about the alleged tape, the Chief Minister had said, "We don't have anything to do with the 17 disqualified MLAs, we don't even know which party they are going to join or will they contest independently. The Congress party is twisting my statement. Let the Supreme Court take a decision on the tape."

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Seventeen MLAs of Congress-JDS coalition government headed by HD Kumaraswamy had resigned earlier this year leading to a collapse of the government and paving way for BJP to form its government with having Chief Minister as Yediyurappa. The 17 MLAs were disqualified in July by then Karnataka Assembly speaker Ramesh Kumar and were barred from contesting polls for the duration of the assembly which ends in 2023.

(With ANI inputs)

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