Cross-voting in MLC polls: Karnataka BJP chief, LoP Ashoka to meet party president in Delhi

Bengaluru (PTI): Senior BJP leader R Ashoka on Monday said that he and Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra would meet party national president Nitin Nabin in New Delhi on June 23 to brief him on the alleged cross-voting by MLAs during last week's MLC elections in the state.

With Vijayendra proposing a BJP legislature party meeting in the temple town of Dharmasthala—indicating that MLAs might be asked to take a 'pramaana' (oath) before Lord Manjunatha to reveal the truth about the cross-voting—Ashoka said several senior party leaders had advised against using a holy place for political purposes.

"We sought an appointment with the BJP national president four days ago, and he has given us time at noon tomorrow. Vijayendra and I will brief him on the cross-voting by BJP MLAs during the Legislative Council elections," Ashoka, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, told reporters.

"Both our candidates won. However, the cross-voting clearly indicates that some MLAs betrayed the BJP. We need to identify who they are. A committee has been constituted to investigate the matter, and it is expected to submit its report by today or tomorrow. We will forward the report to the central leadership," he said.

Asked what he and the state BJP president would convey to the party's national leadership, Ashoka said, "We will inform them about what transpired and the cross-voting that took place."

Rejecting suggestions that the party high command was upset and had summoned them, he said, "Nothing of that sort. We sought the appointment; they did not call us. This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. Cross-voting has happened many times in the state."

The ruling Congress won five of the seven Legislative Council seats that went to the polls on Thursday, while the BJP secured two. The JD(S) failed to win the lone seat it contested.

The results indicated cross-voting by BJP and JD(S) legislators in favour of Congress candidates, with the ruling party securing 151 votes — 11 more than the expected 140, according to sources.

Asked whether the party had identified those responsible for the cross-voting, Ashoka said there were suspicions but no confirmation.

"Everything will come out. Do you think those who cross-voted did so for free? Some claim it was done in the interest of development. But money is involved. It is nothing but horse-trading, though it is being projected as development. Whose development? Not that of the constituency, but personal development," he said.

He added that those involved in the cross-voting would not be spared and would face disciplinary action.

Responding to a question on Vijayendra's proposal to hold the legislature party meeting in Dharmasthala and seek an oath from MLAs regarding the cross-voting, Ashoka said senior leaders had advised against the move.

"Senior MLA Suresh Kumar spoke to me over the phone and also sent me a letter. Former Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also spoke to me. They said it would set a bad precedent and advised us not to proceed with it. I will discuss the matter with Vijayendra in Delhi, and we will abide by the advice of our senior leaders," he said.

Dharmasthala, situated on the banks of the Nethravati River in Dakshina Kannada district, has an 800-year-old history.

According to local belief, anyone who lies before Lord Manjunatha faces severe consequences.

Responding to Home Minister Priyank Kharge's criticism and his question as to whether BJP legislators would speak the truth in Dharmasthala, Ashoka alleged that the Congress had induced MLAs to cross-vote and engaged in horse-trading.

He claimed that the Congress would face political consequences and that leaders from the ruling party would join the BJP in the coming days.

"Those who engaged in horse-trading should come to Dharmasthala and take an oath that they did not do so. The Congress is in power, and it is they who have done it. We, too, had, in the past, persuaded 15-16 Congress MLAs to resign and come over. This is not new. Parties in power often attempt such things," he said.

Referring to Congress's repeated allegations of 'Operation Kamala' (Operation Lotus), Ashoka claimed, "What have you done now? Should we call it 'Operation Hasta' (Operation Hand)? You have indulged in horse-trading and will face the consequences. The day is not far when Congress leaders themselves will join the BJP."