Still with Congress, claims Ramesh

Three of the four disgruntled Congress legislators — Ramesh Jarkiholi, Mahesh Kumthalli and B Nagendra — have responded to Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah’s show-cause notice, claiming their loyalty to the party.

The fourth legislator Umesh Jadhav has not responded yet. The four MLAs were under the party’s scanner after they skipped last Friday’s CLP meeting.

The meeting was meant to be a show of unity amid the threat of the BJP poaching legislators. These four MLAs, are reportedly in touch with the BJP.

According to sources, Jarkiholi said in his response that he was busy preparing for his daughter’s wedding.“There is no question of me quitting the party,” he has stated, sources said.

Kumthalli, too, has cited personal reasons while maintaining his allegiance to the Congress.

“Nagendra responded to the notice on Wednesday. He has said he is loyal to the party and that he couldn’t (attend the CLP meet) because of a court case hearing. He has also said that he hadn’t met BJP leaders,” Siddaramaiah said.

Jarkiholi and Kumthalli sent their responses on Thursday.