Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Thursday announced disqualification of three MLAs -- R Shankar (Ranebennur), Ramesh Jharkiholi (Gokak) and Mahesh Kumthahalli (Athani) -- under the provisions of anti-defection law.
The Speaker also announced that the disqualified MLAs cannot contest election until the expiry of the term of 15th Assembly until May 2023.
Shankar pledged his support to the
BJP after voluntarily merging his party, KPJP, with the
Congress. The Speaker held him guilty of defection, and disqualified him.
Jharkiholi and Kumthahalli, both Congress MLAs, were disqualified for speaking out against the party on issues they should have flagged in the party forum.
The Speaker announced disqualification orders based on written complaints from Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah.
The Speaker said he would need a couple of days to take a view on other complaints.