JD(S) rebels: Why don't you take us back?

Bengaluru: The eight Janata Dal (Secular) who were suspended from the party for voting for  Congress candidates in the Rajya Sabha and  Legislative Council polls, have demanded that party leaders take an early decision on their future.

"Let them take us back into the party fold or expel us so that we can decide on our political future. Without doing anything and keeping the issue in suspended animation for the last many months, they are causing us mental agony. The JD(S) belongs to Mr H.D. Deve Gowda and his son, Mr  Kumaraswamy and we request them to decide  at the earliest", a couple of suspended legislators told Deccan Chronicle.

They said they were confused after party bosses kept the eight MLAs under suspension and filed a petition before the Speaker of the  Assembly seeking their disqualification for violation of the whip. This process was not only time consuming but also caused them mental agony as they have to appear before the Speaker only to hear the case had been adjourned. All of them want to continue in JD(S) and are not keen on joining another party as they have thousands of followers.  The suspended MLAs are also worried over the fact that they have to face Assembly polls after one and a half years. So far, they are not sure if they will be taken into JD(S) again.

"We attended BBMP mayoral elections and supported Congress candidates as directed by Mr Deve Gowda. Our hearts are still with the JD(S) which has given political power to us".

Mr Zameer Ahmed Khan, one of the suspended legislators, told DC that Kumaraswamy knew all eight legislators would vote for Congress candidates in the RS and Council polls.  If Mr Kumaraswamy wished, he should have prevailed upon them to vote for his party candidates, he added.