No Lingayat CM for next 20 years, predicts Madhuswamy

Bengaluru: State minister J C Madhuswamy on Monday, December 2 said that BS Yediyurappa became the Chief Minister of the state because of the sacrifice of rebels MLAs

Addressing election meeting for the upcoming by-polls to Vijayanagara Assembly constituency Madhuswamy said that Yediyurappa had become chief minister on account of “sacrifice” made by disqualified legislators

He further added, “It will take another 20 years for a Lingayat to become chief minister again. This political system has never allowed a Lingayat to be chief minister for the whole term. Therefore, in order to ensure that Yediyurappa continues to hold his position, society should vote for disqualified legislators.”

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court upheld former Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar’s decision to disqualify 17 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs under the anti-defection law and said that they can contest the upcoming by-elections in the state.

Assembly by-polls to the 15 assembly seats in Karnataka are scheduled to be held on December 5 from 7 am to 6 pm.

The by-elections would take place in Athani, Kagwad, Gokak, Yellapura, KR Pura, Yashwanthapura, Hirekerur, Ranebennur, Vijayanagara, Chikkaballapura, Hoskote, Mahalakshmi Layout, Shivajinagar, KR Pete and Hunsuru.

According to the Election Commission, the last date for filing nomination is November 18. The date of scrutiny of nominations is November 19 and the last date for the withdrawal of candidates is November 21.

The counting of votes would take place on December 9.