Karnataka CM welcomes court verdict

"This order has come as a warning bell to those who indulge in defection. I hope this will herald a new era in bringing an end to defections in the country," Yeddyurappa told PTI.

Yeddyurappa, overwhelmed by Justice V G Sabhahit's ruling upholding disqualification of the rebel MLAs for withdrawing support to his government, said "this has enhanced my responsibilities now. Now I have to give a further fillip to development activities".

Speaking to reporters, a beaming Yeddyurappa said "Today's verdict is a vindication of our stand on defection. It has helped uphold the values of democracy".

BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said "Satyamev Jayate. Ultimately justice has been upheld. This will act as a deterrent for all political defections across the country".

He said there was no question of taking back the "traitors" who "stabbed the BJP in its back".

The verdict would also serve "as a slap" on the face of JD(S) and Congress, Naidu said., adding, the JD(S), with just 27 MLAs, had been trying to destabilise the BJP government.
Taking a dig at the Congress, he said the Congress was the "principle accused" in the case.

"The entire drama was scripted in Delhi and executed here," he said. JP leader Eshwarappa lauded the verdict, saying it was a lesson that party discipline should be upheld and any one flouting such discipline was bound to face the consequences.

Renukacharya, who led the initial revolt but returned to the fold, said he was a loyal party worker.

"I tried to coax the others to return, but they refused," he said. He said the 11 BJP MLAs unfortunately "got trapped in the strategy of the Congress and JD(S)".