Cong firm on action against 4 rebel MLAs: Siddaramaiah

Former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the party had resolved to take action against four rebel MLAs regardless of the party’s strength coming down in the Assembly.

Siddaramaiah, who was here to attend the meeting of PCC leaders and AICC office-bearers, told reporters that the party would write to Assembly Speaker on Monday seeking action against the four MLAs in question for violating the party whip.

The Congress Legislature Party on Friday resolved to initiate action under anti-defection law against MLAs Ramesh Jarkiholi (Gokak), B Nagendra (Bellary), Mahesh Kumathalli (Athani) and Umesh Jadhav (Chincholi), he said.

Siddaramaiah, however, added that no action would be taken against party MLAs J N Ganesh and B C Patil under the anti-defection law. Kampli MLA Ganesh has been absconding after the alleged attack against his fellow MLA Anand Singh. Patil, who gave the Budget session a skip so far, showed up on Saturday. He met Siddaramaiah and made his displeasure known to the CLP leader.

The former chief minister said the coalition partners the Congress and the JD(S) would finalise the Lok Sabha polls seat-sharing by end of this month. He dismissed the reports that seat-sharing was delaying due to differences between him and JD(S) supremo Deve Gowda.