Two BJP members unlikely to participate in 'Special Session'

Bangalore, July 20 (UNI) Two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs from Karnataka are likely to abstain during the two-day 'Special Session' of Lok Sabha, beginning tomorrow, which would take up the crucial 'Trust Vote' to be sought by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for discussion.

According to highly placed sources, BJP MP Srikantappa, representing Chickmagalur constitency, expressed his inability to participate in the 'Crucial Session' on health ground and was unlikely to attend the session.

Another BJP MP, Manjunath Kunnur, representing Dharwar North constituency, who had fallen out with the State BJP leaders and became a rebel, was likely to abstain during the trust vote.

BJP's strength in the current Lok Sabha was reduced when its member G Karunakara Reddy, representing Bellary constituency, had resigned, following his elections to the State Assembly.

Mr Karunakara Reddy, who had romped home from Harapanahalli assembly constituency by defeating his nearest Congress rival, M P Prakash, was made a minister in the Government.

Among the 28 Lok Sabha seats, BJP has 16 followed by Congress with nine, JD(S) two and SP one. One seat (Bellary) remained vacant, following Mr Reddy's election to the Assembly.

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