Karnataka: Disgruntled Congress MLAs attend Budget session

Bengaluru, Feb 13: Disgruntled Congress MLAs attended the Budget session at Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday after the Congress sought disqualification of four rebel lawmakers under the Anti-Defection law for the defiance, skipping the assembly session and legislature party meetings.

On his return from Mumbai, Congress MLA Umesh Jadhav, said, "I had small issues with party leaders in my constituency. I will discuss those issues separately. Mallikarjun Kharge is a big leader, I can't speak anything against them. I'll speak at appropriate time. I have come to attend the budget session."

Congress MLA from Athani, Mahesh Kumathalli also expressed similar views on his return. He said, "I have small issues with my party leaders, there was some miscommunication. I was not satisfied with some of the party decisions. As this is a budget session, I have come back."

Reacting to Congress MLAs return, Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar said , 'Good sense prevailed among disgruntled MLAs'.

Earlier, Congress has issued whip to all 80 MLAs to attend the Assembly session and the party warned of strict action if MLAs who fail to be present.

The four lawmakers skipped the CLP meeting on January 18, which was meant to be a show of strength in the backdrop of BJP's alleged bid to topple the coalition government, and another CLP meet Friday last despite a whip.

They were also among those absent from the assembly since the budget session began Wednesday last. Ramesh Jarkiholi, one of the four disgruntled MLAs, was upset after he was dropped in the ministry rejig on December 22.

(With PTI inputs)