BSY defends defections of legislators to BJP

Bangalore, Jul 6 (UNI) Strongly defending the admitting of sitting legislators from opposition into the BJP, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today said they had done it on their own and they would be 'accommodated suitably' in the government.

Speaking to newspersons after garlending the portrait of former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram here he said he welcomed all those who wished to join BJP after accepting its ideologies and policies.

Denying the opposition charge that BJP in its bid to gain a majority on its own in the Assembly, he said, "this charge is baseless." Referring to Congress legislator J Narasimhaswamy, who had quit his Doddaballapur assembly seat and joined BJP today, Chief Minister said that the latter had expressed his desire to join the party and was admitted.

"We are not in favour coercing any legislator to join BJP, but would welcome if they wish to come on their own" he said.

Mr Yeddyurappa did no deny whether more such defections of the sitting members in the coming days. Some of them had indeed evinced such an interest, he said.

Replying to questions Chief Minister said that with the induction of JD(S) and Congress legislators into the party, there was no question of ignoring the Independent legislators, five of whom were ministers in his ministry.

He also did not rule out the possibilities of expansion of his ministry before the budget session scheduled to commence from 17th of this month.

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