Disqualified MLAs fear bypoll as SC rejects plea

Bengaluru: The Supreme Court on Monday, rejected the plea of the disqualified legislators for urgent hearing of their petition for the second time. The division bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice S V Raman rejected the plea of the petitioners when by their advocate Mukul Rohatgi raised the issue. It may be recalled that last week, the bench presided over by Justice Arun Mishra had struck down similar plea.

Although the disqualified legislators succeeded in toppling the coalition government in the state and installing the BJP government in its place their future lies uncertain as they have ceased to be legislators and have failed to achieve the objectives of becoming ministers.

Previous assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar, had disqualified 17 legislators including three from the JD(S), one independent and 13 Congress legislators. These legislators have not yet succeeded in securing stay order against the speaker’s order.

These legislators cannot participate in the new government until the court hears their petitions and announces its orders. Adding to this uncertainty, what worries them in the absence of stay order is that the election commission might announce bypoll anytime.