Cong ready on MLA's poaching: Kharge

Bangalore, Jul 10: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Mallikarjuna Kharge today convened a meeting of party legislators in the background of rumours that some of its legislators were likely to cross over to the BJP in the state.

Speaking to newspersons, ahead of the party legislators meeting at the KPCC office here, Mr Kharge, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly asserted that the party would face the challenge following the BJP's move to 'woo' party legislators.

Denying that several Congress legislators would desert the party and join the BJP, he said ''There is no truth in it and the legislators were intact with Congress.'' The BJP had netted four legislators into its fold, two each from Congress and JD(S) and three were likely to admit into the Yeddyurappa Ministry. Another Congress legislator J Narasimhaswamy representing Doddaballapur constituency, who had resigned from the party and submitted his resignation to Assembly Speaker has been appointed as Chairman Slum Development Board.

The party high command had deputed Union Minister Santhosh Bagrodia to Karnataka, following reports that many more legislators, including former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his followers were likely to desert the party and join the BJP. The minister had one-round of meeting with Mr Siddaramaiah.

Meanwhile, Thuruvekere legislator and filmstar Jaggesh, indicated that he would resign from the Congress party and join the BJP.

UNI