BELAGAVI: The imminent migration of several disgruntled MLAs of the Congress to BJP, in the next few days, has not gone down well with some BJP leaders in several assembly segments.

The leaders feel the party’s move to rope in Congress rebels will only jeopardise their political prospects.

Some BJP leaders, including former MLAs, have also decided to quit the party and contest as independents in the upcoming byelections, according to sources. 

Former BJP MLA Raju Kage said, “I have been an MLA four times in Kagwad constituency and aspire to win more elections. If Shrimant Patil (Congress rebel MLA) is made to contest from my constituency by the BJP in the next elections, I will contest as an independent.’’

Kage added, saying that BJP’s popularity among the people in Karnataka soared after its triumph in the recent Lok Sabha elections, but the ongoing political developments in the state could have an adverse impact on it.

In Gokak constituency, several BJP leaders led by Ashok Pujari who were involved in a political clash with Jarkiholi brothers, are an upset lot. Pujari, who lost against Ramesh Jarkiholi by close margins twice in the last two assembly polls, is in a dilemma over the imminent joining of Jarkiholi in the BJP camp. 

“To decide my future course of action, I will wait till the BJP forms a government with the help of Congress rebel legislators. I will announce my decision by holding a press conference in Belagavi after that,’’ said a visibly upset Pujari.

The political future of Laxman Savadi, a BJP leader who has been a three-time MLA from Athani, is also at stake with the possible entry of Athani MLA Mahesh Kumathalli into the BJP. In the recent assembly polls, Savadi lost by a slender margin to Kumathalli.

The entry of three Congress rebel legislators - Ramesh Jarkiholi, Mahesh Kumathalli and Shrimant Patil - into the BJP will increase the tally of BJP legislators in Belagavi district to 12 as against five of Congress.