Karnataka: Disqualified legislators meet to discuss next move

BENGALURU: Congress and JD(S) rebels, who are in a bind as the Supreme Court is yet to hear their pleas against their disqualification , met here on Friday to discuss possible steps. The group reportedly discussed the matter at disqualified MLA K Sudhakar's house and agreed to press for an urgent hearing of their petitions one more time on September 16.
Munirathna, Basavaraj Byrathi and Pratapgouda Patil were among those attended the meet.The rebels cannot join the BJP or seek a role in BS Yediyurappa's cabinet until the court rules on their legal challenge to Kumar's decision.
The court had listed their petitions for a hearing on Wednesday, but later dropped them. "We don't know if our case will be listed on Monday, but we have decided to seek an urgent hearing again," said a disqualified MLA. The prolonged uncertainty over their immediate political future - it's been over a month since the power struggle ended in Karnataka - is now taking a toll on a section of the rebels, who said they had not anticipated such a wait.
Disqualified Hirekerur legislator, BC Patil, said there was no discontentment in the camp. "It's all a media creation. It's not that we are unhappy. We just met to discuss the future course of action," he said.