Karnataka rebel MLA seeks justice from SC

As the BJP and its newly elected Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa are preparing to move ahead with the confidence motion on July 29, the Karnataka rebel MLA's are taking the fight to the court following their disqualification, under the anti-defection law, by the speaker.

Bengaluru:Pratap Gowda Patil, one of the rebel Congress MLA, who was disqualified by Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Sunday, said he is confident of getting justice in the Supreme Court.

"My dear voters and my people of Maski assembly constituency, I assure you of getting justice in Supreme Court after Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar disqualified us from the assembly. No need to worry, we will get justice in SC soon," Pratap Gowda Patil said.

Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar disqualified 14 rebel MLAs, days after the Congress-JD(S) government collapsed after losing the confidence motion. This is in addition to the three dissident MLAs he had disqualified on July 25.

With the significant development, a total of 17 rebel MLAs from both parties have been disqualified by the Speaker. All the disqualified MLAs cannot contest elections until the expiry of the term of the 15th Legislative Assembly.

These MLAs are barred from contesting the by-elections as well. These three MLAs will move the Supreme Court on Monday to challenge the Kumar's decision to disqualify them under the anti-defection law.

Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP President B S Yeddyurappa arrived for BJP legislative party meeting in Bengaluru.

The newly-elected Chief Minister is scheduled to face the trust vote on July 29.