This story is from October 30, 2019

Eye on bypolls, CM to visit assembly segments of disqualified MLAs

Eye on bypolls, CM to visit assembly segments of disqualified MLAs
BENGALURU: Faced with the sizeable challenge of having to win at least eight seats in the December 5 byelection to remain in power, the BJP government is leaving no stone unturned to reach that target.
With his government already having doled out hundreds of crores to these segments — represented by 14 Congress and three JD(S) MLAs who were disqualified by then speaker Ramesh Kumar — chief minister BS Yediyurappa is now planning to visit these constituencies again before the Model Code of Conduct for the byelections kicks in on November 11.

In a bid to sway the electorate in favour of the disqualified MLAs, Yediyurappa is scheduled to go on a spree of laying foundation stones for development works during his visit. Yediyurappa’s proposed tour of the segments also comes in the wake of dissidence brewing in these constituencies.
The inauguration spree appears to have twin aims: Quell rebellion within the BJP in these seats and to ensure voters continue to support the saffron outfit even if BJP rebels contest on tickets offered by opposition parties or as independents.
As per the tour plan, the CM will visit Chikkaballapura on November 3 and Ranebennur and Hirekerur on November 7. “In Hirekerur, he will kick-start development work worth Rs 100 crore which includes a community hall,” said a BJP leader from Haveri.
Visits to Hospet, Kampli and Gokak, where voters’ sentiment appears to be against the BJP for its alleged failure in effectively handling the flood situation, is also on the cards, sources say.

“Yediyurappa plans to visit all constituencies before November 11, but it depends on the Supreme Court’s verdict on the disqualification plea of the 15 legislators,” said a senior BJP leader who is close to the CM. “If the court allows the disqualified MLAs to contest polls, then he will embark on the tour.”
However staff at the chief minster’s office said Yediyurappa’s proposed visit to Hirekerur, Ranebennur and Chikkaballapura has nothing to do with the bypolls. “Moreover, these visits are not yet finalised and the CM is also in a dilemma over visiting these constituencies,” an official said.
The Supreme Court, which concluded hearings on petitions filed by disqualified MLAs last week, has reserved its order and is expected to pronounce a verdict before November 11. Former speaker KR Ramesh Kumar had disqualified 17 legislators for indulging in anti-party activity and had barred them from contesting elections or occupying any official position for six years.
The disqualified MLAs have argued in the SC that the speaker had no grounds to disqualify them and that they must be allowed to contest the bypolls.
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