Bypoll tickets to disqualified Cong-JDS MLAs if they want to

Disqualified Congress-JDS MLAs would be given BJP tickets for the bypolls if they wanted, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said on Monday, amid growing opposition in some quarters within the party against any such move.

He said party President Amit Shah has said it was "our responsibility" to give tickets to the former MLAs.

The rebellion by the then MLAs had led to the fall of the Congress-JDS government in July paving the way for the BJP to come back to power in the southern state. Byelections to the constituencies held by them are slated in December.

Yediyurappa tried to pacify ticket aspirants within the BJP and candidates defeated in the 2018 assembly polls, saying "opportunity" will be created for them in state-run boards and corporations.

"By-elections are coming up, dates have been announced for 15 seats, Amit Shah has said that those who have resigned and want to contest from BJP, all of them will be given seats (tickets), it is our responsibility," he told reporters in his hometown of Shikaripura in Shimoga district.

Seeking to clear the air in the backdrop of opposition to giving tickets to them, the chief minister said there was no need for any confusion.

"If you desire to contest from our party, priority will be given to you in making you candidates. BJP karyakartas and leaders will take responsibility for your victory," he said.

His comments assume significance as there has been growing opposition within sections of the state BJP against giving bypoll tickets to the disqualified MLAs.

Aspirants and party candidates defeated in the 2018 assembly polls in segments including Hosakote, Hirekerur, Kagwad and Mahalakshmi Layout, have said tickets should be given to loyal party cadres who have worked to build BJP.

Senior BJP MLA Umesh Katti on Sunday had said the disqualified MLAs "will have to find their way."
Welcoming Yediyurappa's statement, disqualified Congress MLA B C Patil said, "It is a matter of happiness. We will all sit together and decide on it in the future."
Stating that disqualified MLAs have not yet discussed about joining BJP, he said, "let the court decide on our disqualification, then we will discuss on it and come to a decision."