BJP lures JD(S) members; wrests Gulbarga ZP

The three JD(S) members Harshanand, Mangalabai and Jayashree joined the BJP in the presence of state Party President K S Eshwarappa in Bangalore. The BJP party’s strength in the 43-member ZP rose to 23 from 20.  The Congress had won 19 seats and JD(S) three.

Later speaking to reporters, Eshwarappa expressed confidence that the BJP would take control of at least 18 to 19 ZPs. The BJP had won 12 of the 30 ZPs. As many as 10 ZPs threw up hung verdicts. It recently gained majority in Bellary ZP by luring away a Congress member.

He said the party would await the final verdict of the Supreme Court on the illegal mining issue on the basis of the Central Empowered Committee report and act, if the need arises, against Reddy brothers.

He slammed the Congress and the JD(S) for disrupting the legislature session and appealed to them to participate in discussions.