This month, BJP leaders C. Puttanna, R. Shankar, Laxman Savadi and Baburao Chinchansur resigned as MLCs and joined the Congress.
The number of Members of the Legislative Council (MLC) of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is reduced to 34 from 39 as they are leaving the party and resigning from their posts. BJP has lost its majority in the council ahead of the state elections
The state spokesperson for BJP, Captain Ganesh Karnik, said, “The MLC count is reducing because people are being denied tickets to contest the polls this year in May. This is a hindrance in the current working and position of the party as we were in majority. The number has dropped and is likely to drop even further as some people cannot stand the fact that they’re being denied the chance to stand in the state elections.”
This month, BJP leaders C. Puttanna, R. Shankar, Laxman Savadi and Baburao Chinchansur resigned as MLCs and joined the Congress. Currently BJP has 34 MLCs, Congress 26 and JD(S) eight, apart from that there are five vacant seats and one independent candidate.
Former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has also quit the BJP and joined Congress along with Eshwarappa, who resigned from politics after quitting BJP.
Captain Ganesh added that the reducing MLC count has impacted the party in terms of vote bank. “This not only affects the current situation but also puts a big question on our progress for elections. When any MLA or MLC leaves, a lot of their supporters also shift their support because of their personal liking towards a particular candidate and support them irrespective of the party they’re representing,” he added.
C.T. Ravi, National General Secretary for BJP said, “Shettar was not doing good in his constituency, we care about what people want so that is why we did not give him ticket ahead of these elections.”
Ravi also said that Shettar wanted to pursue his personal interests over the party and they don’t need him anymore. “It is a clear betrayal from his side and we know the Congress is eager to take prominent figures in their party to win elections, they can do that happily. We have more diligent and hardworking candidates to compensate for what these runaway people couldn’t do,’ added Ravi.
However, a few people have left other parties like Janata Dal Secular (JDS), Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joined BJP.. Some of whom are Bhaskar Rao from AAP, Pillamunishamappa from JD(S) and Jollapavanar Naranayaswami from Congress. However, this does not help improve BJP’s MLC numbers.
V.S. Ugrappa from Congress said, “BJP is corrupt. That’s why people who want a better and clean space to work for the community are leaving them and hoping for other parties. We are more than happy to give these people the deserved respect and ticket they wish to get.”
Veeranna S.G. from JD(S) said, “Many people have approached us from BJP and want to join us since they are denied tickets, we might take them with us but only if they’ve done good work in their constituency and are popular within their constituency.”
Pooja Sharma, Head of the Department of Political Science at KL International School said, “MLCs and MLAs should understand that they need to keep on working to keep the current administration stable despite not getting the ticket, this can be altered and resolved post elections or during the elections. This clearly questions the stance of the party in lead along with its treatment of members working for it.”
