Karnataka BJP leaders summoned to Delhi
New Delhi: After the embarrassing episode of cross-voting by some BJP MLAs in the recently held elections to the Legislative council in Karnataka, BJP state unit president B Y Vijayendra and Leader of the Opposition R Ashok are summoned to Delhi by party Chief Nitin Nabin to give an explanation.
Party sources said that BJP high command took serious note of cross voting in favour of Congress which won five council seats and secured full majority in the state council. Sources said disciplinary action would be initiated against those MLAs who found guilty.
Party Chief Nitin Nabin was also unhappy that despite BJP's 64 MLAs, the party's second candidate won in the second round of counting. To avoid these things in future, the leadership decided to take stern action, sources said.
Party leadership is not able to digest that the BJP- JD(S) alliance suffered a setback in the elections to the council as 11 MLAs from the combine indulged in cross-voting. The BJP is of the view that 5 to 6 of its MLAs violated the party whip.
Asked if the party had identified the MLAs who cross voted, BJP opposition leader Ashok said "we have suspicion on a few but we need confirmation ". He indicated that details may emerge in the fact finding report. The fact finding committee led by party MLC, C T Ravi is set to submit an interim report on the cross voting, which would be placed before party chief Nabin. sources said.
Brushing aside speculations that some BJP and JD(S) MLAs must have voted in favour of ruling Congress candidates to get developmental funds for their constituencies, state chief Vijayendra remarked " it is for their own personal development ".
