Even as the fate of the 17 disqualified Congress-JD(S) MLAs is yet to be decided by the Supreme Court over their eligibility to contest the bypolls in Karnataka, there is growing opposition within the state BJP against giving them tickets, with a senior party MLA Umesh Katti saying on Sunday that they will have to find their way.
The saffron party, that came to power with the help of these MLAs, plans to field most of them in the by-polls on getting respite from the Apex Court, where they have challenged their disqualification.
"Raju Kage, Laxman Savadi, Ashok Pujari (aspirants) are my close friends. I will speak (to the party leadership)... tickets have not yet been issued. When it is issued, let's see...all these three will get tickets, if they dont get, let's see then," Katti said.
Speaking to reporters in Chikkodi, he said Raju Kage had said he would not jump ship to the Congress and would seek a ticket from the BJP after meeting the party leadership.
Kage had stated that if he does not get a ticket, he would go his own way, Katti said.
"Kage will continue in BJP, he will get a ticket (from Kagwad)," Katti said.
Asked about the fate of disqualified MLAs like Shrimat Patil from Kagwad, he said, "for disqualified MLAs- they have their way and we have ours."
Reacting to Katti's statement, Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi said "such things are not decided by Umesh Katti or him. There is the high command in the party and we will abide by its decision."
"In some places where there is confirmation about them joining, they are disgruntled. The party will solve it internally."
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