K’taka Speaker Disqualifies 3 Rebel MLAs, Bans them from Election

Ramesh Kumar said the three disqualified MLAs will not be able to contest elections under the anti-defection law.

Karnataka Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar.

(Photo: PTI)

While the leaders of the Karnataka BJP were waiting for orders from their central leadership to form a government, Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Thursday 25 July disqualified three rebel MLAs.

In a late evening briefing, he announced that Congress rebels Ramesh Jarakiholi, Mahesh Kumathalli and independent legislator R Shankar have been disqualified till the end of the term of 15th Assembly.

Cong MLAs Indulged in ‘Anti-Party Activities’

Explaining his decision, the Speaker said that he was convinced that the resignations by the three members were not voluntary and genuine. “Therefore I rejected them and proceeded to disqualify them under the anti-defection law,” he said.

A complaint of indulging in anti-party activities was filed against Ramesh Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumtahalli in February,” he explained reasons for the resignation of these two MLAs.

Independent Supported BJP After Merging With Cong

In the case of the third MLA R Shankar, Speaker said that he had merged his party KPJP with the Congress last year and he violated the whip by going to the BJP.

“On 14 June, CLP leader Siddaramaiah had written to the Speaker that as per the 10th scheduled Shankar had merged with the Congress. On 8 July, Shankar and Nagesh (independents) met the Governor and resigned. Shankar wrote to Governor saying he is unequivocally going to support BJP,” he said.

Disqualified MLAs Can’t Contest Election

Ramesh Kumar also said that these three disqualified MLAs will not be able to contest elections under the anti-defection law cannot contest or get elected to the Assembly till the end of the term of the House i.e 2023.

“If you submit your resignation and it's accepted, you can contest election again. If you're disqualified, you can't,” he added

‘Will Decide on Other Complaints in Couple of Days’: Speaker

Speaker KR Ramesh after disqualifying three MLAs said that he will decide on other complaints in a “couple of days.” He was referring to other 13 rebel MLAs who have resigned to allegedly support the BJP.

“There are other complaints with me. I am still studying them and it will take couple of days more. When I decide it must be based on logic. In the next few days, I will make a decision and announce. For the rest of the term for the 15th assembly, they are disqualified,” he said.

How Does it Affect the BJP?

The disqualification wouldn’t change the numbers in the house. The coalition has only 99 and the BJP with 105 MLAs, still has majority. But the disqualification could deter the rebel MLAs to return to the coalition camp.

These rebels have been offered cabinet posts in the new BJP government. In order to get that, they will have to contest the by-election and return to power. However, the Speaker has categorically said that the rebel MLAs can’t contest the election till 2023. This may lead to some rebel return to the coalition, said a Congress leader after the announcement.