JD(S) MLAs won’t defect to Congress, asserts Kumaraswamy

In a show of strength, Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday (November 8) insisted that none of his legislators will defect to the ruling Congress in Karnataka.

A day after he gathered all the JD(S) MLAs at Hassan, he mocked at the Congress for claiming that some of his colleagues in the House were ready to jump ship.

The former chief minister questioned the Congress' "duplicity" in accusing the BJP of conducting an 'Operation Lotus' while its own leaders openly claimed that BJP and JD(S) rebels were prepared to join the Congress.

The claims have been made by chief minister Siddaramaiah as well as his deputy DK Shivakumar.

Kumaraswamy convened a meeting of its legislators and party leaders in Hassan town on Tuesday to convey a message of unity.

All the legislators also visited the Hasanamba temple in Hassan.

"Out of 19 MLAs, 18 have attended. The 19th MLA, Sharanagouda Kandakur (Gurmitkal MLA), is like a son of our house. He is in a bit of confusion. Will set things right; it is not a big issue," Kumaraswamy said.

Rebel MLA?

He said there was no one in the party who is disgruntled and wants to quit "falling prey to the allurements of the Congress government".

Kandakur, who is unhappy over JD(S)' alliance with the BJP, said in Bengaluru that he did not attend the Hassan meeting as he had other commitments.

Asked if he was disgruntled with the party, he said: "There is no such thing. Even if it is there, such a thing cannot be shared before the media... I have already shared my unhappiness over the alliance with BJP with the leadership."

He said he met the chief minister and other ministers but it was only regarding development work.

Asking why the 136-MLA-strong Congress had was calling breakfast and dinner meetings of its leaders and legislators, Kumaraswamy advised it to first set its affairs in order.

He said the Congress was terrified of a BJP-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka.

(With agency inputs)