After a long hearing of the writ petition filed by then Mayor Purushotham and the Congress, Regional Commissioner passed an order disqualifying six corporators - Somashekar (Ward 29), Nanda Kumar (Ward 43), Nigar Sultana ( Ward 45), Farida Begum (Ward 46), Mahadevamma (Ward 50) and Vanitha Prasanna (Ward 65). All the six corporators remained absent for the Mayoral elections despite the Congress issuing a whip asking its members to be present.

Mayor Purushotham and the Congress had filed a writ petition alleging that the Corporators were engaged in defection to favour the BJP, before the Regional Commissioner’s court in April 2010.

Interestingly, there are possibilities of few more corporators getting disqualified. The Court is also hearing a case filed by the Janatha Dal (secular) seeking disqualification of eight members alleging anti-party activities and defection. Eight JD(S) corporators, former mayor C Srikantaiah, R Lingappa, K V Mallesh, T Devaraj, Kempanna, Prabhu Murthy, Lakshmamma and Mahadevamma had openly identified themselves with the BJP after the ‘operation lotus’ ahead of the mayoral polls in 2010. The members did not take part in the mayoral election to support the JD(S) candidate.

Sources said the Regional Commissioner’s court is expected to deliver the judgment in the case within a week as Regional Commissioner Jayanthi would be leaving for West Bengal as an Election Observer.

Cong strength down

With the Monday’s disqualification, the total strength of the Congress has dwindled to 16 seats from a total of 22 so far. The BJP has 16 members and the JD(S) has 18 members.

A lesson to defectors

Reacting on the disqualification of its members, City Congress President C Dasegowda said that it was a lesson for the defectors. “The members preferred money over their duty. These orders should teach a lesson to them and also serve as warning to the members who indulge in anti-party activities,” he said.