Siddaramaiah to rebels: Return or face music
According to him, ever since the coalition government was formed, the BJP had been constantly trying to topple it.
Bengaluru: Issuing a stern warning to rebel leaders, Congress Legislature Party(CLP) leader, Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said those who have resigned have two options- return to the party or face the consequences.
Speaking to reporters after a crucial CLP meeting here, Mr Siddaramaiah alleged that these rebel MLAs have been held captive by the BJP in Mumbai.
Observing that the act of the rebels will attract provisions of the anti-defection law, the CLP leader cautioned that along with disqualification, the party has also appealed to the Speaker to ban the rebels from contesting elections for six years. “I hope the Speaker will act according to the provisions of the act," he remarked.
Training his guns on the BJP, the former CM charged that the saffron party was indulging in anti-democratic means to destabilise democratically elected governments in Karnataka and other states.
According to him, ever since the coalition government was formed, the BJP had been constantly trying to topple it.
“They have failed five times in their efforts, this is their sixth attempt," he alleged and added that the BJP would fail in this attempt as well.
The former Chief Minister also alleged that the national leaders of the BJP including PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were directly involved in the toppling operation. "The BJP has been rejecting allegations of its involvement in the resignation of the MLAs. But photos and video grabs that are being aired say a different story. These videos clearly show who assisted the MLAs to board the chartered flight that ferried them to Mumbai," he said.
Alleging that BJP was luring MLAs with money, he wondered where all the money was coming from? "With money power and political power they are trying to destabilise the government. Some of our MLAs have fallen into the trap of BJP, I don't know whether they have understood the provisions of the law or not, the provisions of the 10th Schedule- the anti-defection law are very clear," he added.
Mr Siddaramaiah also said all Congress MLAs have been asked to attend the assembly session, starting on July 12, without fail.