Bengaluru, Oct 17: Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah ruled out absorbing any of the 13 disqualified MLAs into the party fold on Thursday, insisting doors will remain shut for them. The former chief minister was speaking to reporters after meeting AICC president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.
Siddaramaiah’s clarification came following rumours that some disqualified MLAs including N Munirathna and ST Somashekhar were keen on returning and had sent out feelers to Congress leaders.
“The Congress has already taken a decision in this regard and we will stand by it,” Siddaramaiah said. “They will not be taken back.”
The Congress had expelled all 13 disqualified MLAs after efforts to get them to withdraw their resignations — which resulted in the collapse of Congress-JD(S) coalition government — failed. Asked if some of the defeated BJP candidates, who are knocking on the doors of Congress, would be inducted, the former CM said a decision will be taken after consulting party workers in the respective constituencies. Reports suggest BJP leaders like Raju Kage, Sharath Bachhegowda, UB Banakar and Nandeesh Reddy, who were defeated in the 2018 assembly polls, could join the Congress if they are denied tickets by the BJP to contest the bypolls.
“As of now there is no such proposal,” Siddaramaiah said. “If someone from the BJP wants to join Congress, the party will take a decision after consulting party workers.” He also said that the party has already finalised candidates for the December 5 byelections expect in “two or three” seats.
On his visit to Delhi, Siddaramaiah said he called on Sonia to congratulate her on being appointed AICC president and also to thank her for entrusting him with the responsibility of the post of opposition leader in assembly.
“During the meeting, the bypolls did come up for discussion and I have promised Sonia that Karnataka Congress unit will work to bring the party back to power in the state. I owe this to the party,” he said.
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