BJP may revoke suspension of two Lok Sabha members

The BJP is likely to revoke the suspension of Members of Parliament B Y Raghavendra and Shivakumar Udasi in the next few days, following the party’s patch-up with former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

Raghavendra, son of Yeddyurappa, and Shivakumar, son of former minister C M Udasi, were suspended by the party’s central leadership for identifying with the KJP, despite being in the BJP. The State unit is likely to write to the central leadership seeking that their suspension be revoked. Raghavendra and Shivakumar are keen on recontesting the Lok Sabha polls from their respective constituencies - Shimoga and Haveri, sources said.

The party may take more time on deciding whether to revoke the suspension of Tumkur MP G S Basavaraj, a one-time Yeddyurappa loyalist. Basavaraj has dropped hints he would join the Congress. 

Sources said Yeddyurappa is likely to be given a Rajya Sabha election ticket when four members from the State retire in June this year. Former minister Shobha Karandlaje is reportedly keen on contesting the polls either from Mysore or Bangalore North parliamentary seat.

Lehar Singh, MLC (Ind), said, “With the KJP and the BJP merging, it is understood that I am also with the BJP. The question of revoking my suspension does not arise.”

BSR Congress

In another development, former minister and BSR Congress president B Sriramulu is said to be making hectic efforts to merge his party with the
BJP.

It is said that except for former chief minister Jagadish Shettar other BJP state leaders are not showing the same interest in Sriramulu as they did with regard to the homecoming of Yeddyuruppa. They have left it to the party central leadership to take a final call. Senior leader Sushma Swaraj , who fell out with the Reddy brothers and Sriramulu, is said to be against the merger. The BSR Congress has four MLAs.

Patil to decide soon

B R Patil, the KJP MLA from Aland, said that he would be taking a decision about his political future only after January 16.

Asked whether he was apprehensive of being expelled from the KJP in case he failed to follow Yeddyurappa, Patil said, “I am not sure whether the majority decision is binding on all legislators, under the anti-defection law.”