JOIN USBJP's Mallikarjun Khuba raises banner of revolt, files nomination as independent for Basavakalyan bypolls
MLA Mallikarjun Khuba raised a banner of revolt against the saffron party despite efforts by the BJP leaders to assuage him. Khuba filed his nomination as an independent candidate for the by-election to Basavakalyan seat on Tuesday.
Housing Minister V Somanna, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, district in-charge minister Prabhu Chauhan, and BJP leader Eshwarsingh Rathod met a miffed Khuba at his house and made a futile bid to convince him to remain in the party but he did not budge. Khuba held a convention of his supporters under the banner of Swabhimani Balaga.
"There has been a faux paus in the BJP high command and ‘suitcase’ has worked there. BJP and chief minister Yediyurappa cheated me. I have faith even now in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I am contesting as an independent candidate being in BJP. The people of the constituency will get me justice", Khuba said at the convention.
Speaking at the Congress workers' convention, Leader of Opposition in Siddaramaiah said the BJP is likely to spend about Rs 50 crore in the by-election to Basavakalyan seat. No one should sell their votes to save the State and democracy, he appealed.
Sindhia joins Congress
JD(S) leader and former minister PGR Sindhia on Tuesday joined the Congress in the presence of KPPC president D K Shivakumar at the Congress workers' convention held in Basavakalyan. He was welcomed to the party by giving him a Congress flag.
Sindhia said "B Narayanrao who elected from Basavakalyan in the last assembly polls came to my home and took my blessings besides seeking advise. But I had then committed a mistake by contesting against him. Hence, I came here to campaign for his wife Mala Narayanrao", he added.