Rebel Congress MLA Umesh Jadhav, who had submitted his resignation from the party earlier this month, joined BJP today in the presence of party’s state President BS Yeddyurappa, former CM Jagdish Shettar and others. The joining happened before PM Modi’s address to people Kalaburagi.
“I am happy and proud joining BJP,” The newly-inducted leader said. He also asked people of Kalaurgi to elect Modi as PM Modi again.
Umesh Jadav, who has been two-time MLA from Chincholi constituency of Kalaburagi district, is also speculated to be BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate against Congress leader Malikarugan Kharge for the Kalaburgi seat. Kharge has been nine-time MLA from Gulbarga seat and two-time MP.
However, Jadhav’s decision to contest Lok Sabha elections will have to go through some legal hurdles, as his resignation letter has still not been accepted by the speaker and a petition asking for his disqualification is already pending.
“The petition to disqualify Jadhav is still pending. Without disposal of this petition his resignation cannot be accepted as per law, in my knowledge” Former CM Siddaramaiah, who is also a member of Congress Legislature Party, was quoted.
Jadhav belongs to state’s Lambani community, a group that has a strong presence in Kalburgi district.
He was among the four rebel Congress MLAs, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Mahesh Kamitalli, and B Nagendra who had kept Congress on heels. All of them had refused to attend Congress Legislative Party meetings on January 18 and February 8.
Following their absence even after the party whip, CLP chief Siddaramaiah had announced that he will approach the speaker to take strong action against them. On February 11, Congress had sought disqualification of four MLAs under the anti-defection law.
They had also skipped early part of the budget session in the Karnataka assembly. However, they had later voted in favour of the budget, to avoid harsh action.
The main reason behind Jadav’s disgruntlement with Congress is reportedly the alleged dominance of leaders like Malikaurjan Kharge and his son Priyank Kharge.