BANGALORE: Janata Dal (Secular) is reportedly still in a dilemma about supporting Congress’ move to unseat Legislative Council Chairman D H Shankaramurthy.
Congress had reportedly hinted at initiating the move to unseat Shankaramurthy by joining hands with JD(S) after its strength increased in the House following the recent by-election and nominations of members.
In the 85-member House, BJP is the single largest party with 31 members (including Shankaramurthy). Congress has 28 members including five nominated members, four elected from the Assembly and and one more member winning the North-East Teachers Constituency. JD(S) has 12 members.
Three independents --- Suresh, Lakshminarayana and G Raghu Achar --- may support the plan of Congress and JD(S) to remove Shankaramurthy and Deputy Chairman Vimala Gowda, it is said. Thus, the total numbers add up to 43 for JD(S)and Congress combined.
A senior JD(S) leader told Express while a section of party MLCs led by Puttanna and Marithibbegowda favoured supporting Congress to oust Shankaramurthy, another group reportedly opposed it. Gowda is learnt to have told his party members to wait till the crucial meeting on the Cauvery issue gets over in Delhi on July 15.