Bangalore, Goa:
High drama and low politics in Karnataka continues. The rebel BJP MLAs, in a revolt against Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, have now flown to Chennai from Goa and are holed up in a hotel there.
The party has given them a deadline today to come back to its fold, but the MLAs appear to be defiant. Tomorrow, Yeddyurappa has to prove his majority in the Assembly and as of now the rebels claim they are 25 in all.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Assembly Speaker has asked the Government and rebel MLAs to present their case to him by Sunday evening.
The dissident MLAs dumped their leader MP Renukacharya remaining firm in their stand against the BS Yeddyurappa government.
Renukacharya, a former leader of this band of rebels did a U-turn to become a Yeddyurappa loyalist, and he was outraged.
"I have been isolated because unlike the other MLA's who have made deals involving bribes of around Rs. 20-25 crore and I refused to accept this," Renukacharya said.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said the situation is under his control and the rebel MLAs will vote against their party.
"The 14 dissident MLAs have withdrawn support to the Yeddyurappa leadership. They are not supporting me," said HD Kumaraswamy, Former Chief Minister, Karnataka.
For its part, the BJP says there is no rebellion and it will win the vote of confidence.
"How can these MLAs be allowed at the airport when their identity cards have not been checked. They don't have any boarding passes. It is a breach of security, and it is all happening because of the Congress government in the state and the Centre," said Manohar Parrikar, BJP Leader, Goa. (
Read: BJP warns rebels to return or else)
The much sought after rebel MLAs said they were acting of their own accord, and that it was all about the need for good governance.
"We were not forced, we came on our own, and after two years the people have only seen rule of terror, corruption, all we are interested now is good governance. No horse trading, nothing like that, it is not true," said Anand Asnotikar, a minister. (
Watch: JD(S) indulging in horse trading, says Karnataka Home Minister)
In Bangalore, the bulk of the BJP MLAs were being kept safe at a resort on the city's outskirts, and leaders were still sounding confident of winning the trust vote. (
Read: BJP sets deadline for rebel MLAs)
The JD (S) and the Congress have issued whips to their MLAs to vote against the government. And Congress leaders, who are keeping their flock safe at yet another resort near Pune, approached the Governor with this memorandum to say the Speaker should withdraw notices issued to the rebels threatening them with disqualification. They say all MLAs should be allowed to vote.