Rebel JD (S) leaders rally behind Siddaramaiah

As many as 22 JD(S) legislators, led by former deputy chief minister M P Prakash, who are keen on leaving the party, are rallying behind Siddaramaiah, who joined the Congress after quitting the JD(S).

The rebel MLAs, who have joined hands with Prakash, on Sunday announced their decision to boycott the JD(S) state executive meeting on November 29. They met Siddaramaiah and held discussion on Monday.

"Prakash and Siddaramaiah make a formidable force. We want them to float a new party or join the Bahujan Samaj Party in the state. If that does not materialise, we will explore other options," former minister Dr H C Mahadevappa said.

Siddaramaiah quit JD(S) last year after he was asked to step down from the deputy chief minister's position in the erstwhile Congress-JD(S) government. JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda had accused Siddaramaiah of promoting "anti-party" activities. Subsequently, Siddaramaiah resigned from the JD(S) and was reelected on a Congress ticket.

"Besides, Siddaramaiah has more or less remained inactive after joining Congress. He has not been assigned any senior position by the party. More legislators will join us if Siddaramaiah and Prakash come together on a common platform. We will wait and watch for another few days," K Venkatesh, another JD (S) legislator said.

Gowda declined to react to the developments. However, JD(S) state president Merajuddin Patel said disciplinary action will be initiated against legislators who do not participate in the forthcoming party's state executive council meeting.

Meanwhile, the state BJP launched a campaign to strengthen its party base in Karnataka.