BJP begins disciplinary action against cross-voting legislators

The state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership has initiated disciplinary measures against party legislators accused of defying the official line in the recent Legislative Council elections. Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, R Ashoka, confirmed that the party's national high command is handling the issue and assured that action has been taken against those who betrayed the party. Ashoka emphasized that there is no leniency for those who cross-voted, stating, "They contested and won elections on the BJP symbol after seeking tickets from the party. Betraying the party after that cannot be condoned."

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We met our national president and held discussions on cross voting issues. He assured us to leave the matter to him and said that action had already been taken against those who betrayed the party.

However, Ashoka acknowledged the challenge posed by the secret ballot, which makes definitive identification of the culprits impossible. "Since it was a secret ballot, it is not possible to conclusively identify those responsible. We have certain suspicions, but the matter will be discussed within the party," he said. The BJP's central leadership summoned state party chief BY Vijayendra, Ashoka, and state in-charge Radhamohan Das Agarwal to Delhi following expressions of displeasure over the alleged cross-voting.

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There is no question of pardoning those who indulged in cross voting. They contested and won elections on the BJP symbol after seeking tickets from the party. Betraying the party after that cannot be condoned.

Simultaneously, the state unit has launched its own inquiry, appointing a three-member committee to investigate the matter. This panel, comprising MLC CT Ravi, state vice-president N Mahesh, and MLA Mahesh Tenginakayi, has been tasked with submitting its findings by June 25. While the party has not disclosed the exact number of legislators believed to have cross-voted, internal vote calculations suggest a more significant rebellion than officially admitted. According to sources familiar with the vote count, the BJP effectively controlled 64 votes, but Raghu Kautilya secured only 29 votes, and Lingaraj Patil received just 27, indicating that at least three BJP legislators cast their votes elsewhere.

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Since it was a secret ballot, it is not possible to conclusively identify those responsible. We have certain suspicions, but the matter will be discussed within the party.