Appearing before a bench of Justices Altamas Kabir and Cyriac Joseph, senior advocate P P Rao said the suspended MLAs had not joined the BJP at any point of time. The MLAs were part of the coalition government headed by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, he said.
Both senior advocate Soli Sorabjee and Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for the Chief Whip and the deputy Chief Whip of the BJP said: “They were all ministers in the BJP government and were adhering to the BJP whip. They were attending the BJP legislature party meeting. They were following the policy of the BJP and part of the Yeddyurappa government.’’
Thus, the Speaker of the state Assembly came to a conclusion that they were BJP members and they would disqualify their seats if they leave the party.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks