Dissident MLAs in Karnataka may be served notice: BJP

New Delhi - BJP today said its dissident MLAs in Karnataka, who had raised a banner of revolt against Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, may be served a notice under anti-defection law if they did not fall in line. "We are confident that the crisis in Karnataka will be resolved soon.

We would like to warn those MLAs who have given the letter to the Governor (for withdrawal of support) that they had won elections on BJP symbol and can lose their membership of the assembly (under anti-defection law)," BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said. Asked if rumours about some BJP leaders being involved in causing this crisis were true, Hussain said the blame lay with JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy and Congress.

"This was expected from Kumaraswamy and Congress. They are desperate as they have been out of power in the state and are trying to foment trouble.

This is the first BJP government in the South and so they are desperate.

But we will manage to put a stop to this," Hussain said. Asked if BJP was contemplating action against the rebel MLAs and would serve them notices, Hussain said the party will take all "appropriate and possible action".

Meanwhile, the crisis in Karnataka continued today even as the central leadership of BJP rushed senior party leader M Venkaiah Naidu to Bangalore to help defuse the crisis in the party-led government there. Part President Nitin Gadkari is said to be keeping a close eye on the developments in the state.

Senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar, who is in-charge of party affairs in Karnataka, is also involved in convincing the MLAs to give up their demand for leadership change.

(PTI) - Thu, Oct 7,2010