BengaluruA visibly embarrassed BJP and JD(S) on Friday took contrasting steps in the cross voting fiasco that occurred at the legislative council elections held on June 18.The final tally of cross voting stands at 11 MLAs from the BJP and JD(S) alliance, with another invalidating his vote.According to the BJP three MLAs cross voted from their party, with another invalidating his vote, while the JD(S) claims it had accounted for four from their own ranks having voted for the Congress with the rest being “unknown”.Speculations are rife that the 14 votes which were cast in favour of the JD(S) candidate included 3 by the BJP, apart from expelled BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal. It is claimed that the regional party had at least 6 from their ranks cross voting with the BJP legislators and Yatnal having abided by the party whip.“We, the three BJP MLAs, have abided by the party whip and voted for our NDA partner candidate. It is far from the truth that we have cross voted and urged the media to stop spreading false news,” said Shirhatti MLA Chandru Lamani.While the BJP decided to set up a three member committee to probe the incident that shamed the party state unit, the JD(S) has empowered state president and union minister H D Kumaraswamy to take action.With as many as three BJP legislators, apart from one invalid vote, having cross voted for the Congress, the BJP was left red faced and in “revenge” mode on Friday.“We will ensure that none of those who have betrayed us will ever get elected again as an MLA,” said opposition leader R Ashoka.The party constituted three members within 24 hours of the fiasco and said it will be headed by MLC C T Ravi. It will also include MLAs Mahesh Tenginkai from Hubbali-Dharwad central and N Mahesh from Kollegal.The committee will formally submit a report to the party in the next three to four days, following which the state leadership will head to Delhi to meet the party top brass.The summons were issued to the state leadership on Friday morning to meet them early next week along with the report of the MLAs who defied the party whip.Party state president B Y Vijayendra termed the BJP cross voters as Mir Sadiqs and said they will not be spared.He said that time has been sought from BJP national president Nitin Nabin to submit the report on the debacle and he will travel to Delhi for the purpose.The first time MLA who is under scrutiny for his leadership and facing a quiet disgruntlement within the party ranks claimed that he is not going to run away just because of this setback.“I am a BJP functionary, party president and also the son of former CM B S Yediyurappa. I am not going to run away just because of this setback. I will not allow it to rattle me,” said the party president.On Friday evening, Kumaraswamy at an emergency meeting of the party expressed strong displeasure over party legislators accused of cross-voting in the Legislative Council elections and hinted at disciplinary action against them.He is learnt to have questioned some legislators over their conduct and expressed disappointment over the alleged betrayal despite the opportunities provided by the party.Kumaraswamy is also said to have come down heavily on two MLAs during the meeting, raising other issues concerning their conduct and performance. The sharp remarks reportedly left the legislators embarrassed and defensive.Several MLAs who remained loyal to the party are learnt to have urged Kumaraswamy to take immediate action against those responsible for cross-voting.While acknowledging their concerns, Kumaraswamy is said to have told them that appropriate action would be taken at the right time.Ends
