Mandya, Apr 15: In a startling revelation, rebel JD(S) MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan has said that it was former chief minister H D Kumarasway who encouraged the party MLAs to vote in favour of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha elections held last year.
As many as eight JD(S) MLAs including Zameer Ahmed had indulged in ‘cross-voting’ in the biennial election Rajya Sabha elections held in June 2016. As a result, BM Farooq, the official nominee from the JD(S) had lost the contest by 12 votes. Had all the JD(S) MLAs voted in his favour, Mr Farooq would have won the contest by a margin of 4 votes.
Prior to the election, Kumaraswamy, who is also the state unit president of the JD(S), had accused the Congress leaders and BJP state president BS Yedyurappa of having a secret pact with the rebel members to defeat the party.
However, now Zameer Ahmed is claiming that Kumaraswamy had told him to cast his vote for Congress during the Rajya Sabha elections. “I am not lying. I am ready to swear on the God in this regard. I will quit politics if Kumaraswamy deny this in front of God,” he challenged.
Massive rally
On Friday, the rebel JD(S) MLAs and their supporters unleashed their angst against the party leadership at massive rally organised by MLA N Cheluvarayaswamy in Nagamangala, Mandya district.
Zameer Ahmed, Ramesh Bandisiddegowda, Balakrishna, Srinivasmurthy and MLC Puttanna trained their guns on JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy for neglecting the local leaders.
Addressing the supporters, MLA N Cheluvarayaswamy waged a scathing attack on H D Kumaraswamy. “Is it possible to accept if the leadership of the party in the district is handed over to a person belonging to another district,” he questioned.
“I have not done any mistake. If the party leadership prove that I have committed mistake I will quit politics,” he said.
Former MP G Madegowda told the rebel MLAs to join Congress party. “Congress party has played a vital role in freedom struggle. The party believes in democratic values. The party may have committed mistakes but it is the responsibility of the leaders and the people to set it right. Take a decision to join Congress fold,” he suggested.
Interestingly, JD(S) rebel MLAs Iqbal Ansari and Bheemanayak did not attend the programme.
Also Read:
BM Farooq’s RS dreams shattered as 8 JD(S) MLAs indulge in cross-voting
Cong betrayed Muslims; I will ensure top position for BM Farooq: Gowda
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