Karnataka speaker disqualifies three MLAs under anti-defection law

BENGALURU: Karnataka assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Thursday announced disqualification of three MLAs — R Shankar (Ranebennur), Ramesh Jharkiholi (Gokak) and Mahesh Kumthahalli (Athani) — under the provisions of the anti-defection law, setting off a new crisis for the BJP ahead of its efforts to form the next government.

The Speaker said the disqualified MLAs cannot contest elections until the expiry of the term of the 15th assembly. This means they cannot contest polls until May 2023, unless the house is dissolved before that. The anti-defection law, he clarified, did not provide for contesting polls during the reminder of the current assembly.

The Speaker said he would need some time to decide on the resignation of other rebel Congress and Janata Dal (S) MLAs. The rebel MLAs are currently camping in a Mumbai hotel, and have been told by the BJP to arrive in Bengaluru only after the dust settles.


The rebellion had caused a political crisis in Karnataka, leading to the collapse of the JD(S)-Congress government after it lost a floor test on Tuesday.

In response to a question, Ramesh Kumar, however, said he would remain the Speaker of the House till the expiry of its term.

The Speaker disqualified Shankar on grounds that he pledged his support to the BJP after voluntarily merging his party, KPJP, with the Congress. The Speaker held him guilty of defection, after the Congress raised the issue.

Jharkiholi and Kumthahalli were disqualified on a complaint of anti-party activities, filed by Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah. They were penalised for speaking out against the party on issues they should have flagged in the party forum.

Siddaramaiah welcomed the Speaker’s decision, saying it would serve as a warning for those who violated people’s mandate for their own gains.