Sources say that he had planned a strategy in case it was not in his favour, but add that it will not be needed now
Sources say that he had planned a strategy in case it was not in his favour, but add that it will not be needed now
The High Court verdict upholding the disqualification of independent MLAs came as a pleasant surprise for chief minister B S Yeddyurappa yesterday, who had planned to pull legislators from opposition parties to survive as the CM. As a result, he had to re-work the strategy.
Ready to hunt:u00a0 A source said that the chief minister was planning to
u00a0use the cabinet expansion as bait to save his government, but looks
u00a0like it's not necessary now. File picWhile there was an apprehension that the court might strike down the disqualification because of which Yeddyurappa government would fall in a crisis again, the CM's camp had prepared for operation lotus to poach MLAs from the Congress and the JD(S).
According to the sources five MLAs from the Congress and three from JD(S) were lined up and even a part payment was made for them, while the exact amount was not known.
"As part our strategy we had spoke to some of the MLAs from the Congress and the JD(S) and they were happy as they could have got good amount of money and positions in boards and corporations. With the HC verdict in our favour, it is not required now.
But, they are disappointed and we have to do something for that," said a leader from the Yeddyurappa camp. The five independent legislatorsu00a0-- P M Narendra Swamy, Goolihatti Shekar, Venkataramanappa, D Sudhakar, and Shivaraj Thangadagiu00a0-- were disqualified along with 11 BJP MLAs after they withdrew support from the government that led Yeddturappa seeking vote of confidence in the assembly, last November.
While the independents are mulling over moving the Supreme Court questioning the decision of the HC, the apex court has heard the case of the 11 BJP legislators, and a decision is expected shortly. However, they are jittery after yesterday's development.
"As today's judgment has boosted our moral, some of the disqualified BJP MLAS are indicating a compromise and they are ready to join our side even after their disqualifications are quashed," said the source.
"The chief minister was planning to use the cabinet expansion as bait to save his government and seems like it won't be necessary now. I won't be surprised if he even postpones the expansion," said the sources.
