Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jan 29: The four legislators who skipped the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meet on January 18 will be sent one more notice asking them to appear before the leadership in person.

State Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao told media on Tuesday that Gokak MLA and former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, Athani MLA Mahesh Kumatahalli, Chincholi MLA Umesh Jadhav and Bellary MLA B Nagendra were issued show-cause notices seeking explanation for being absent for the CLP meet.

Of these, Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra and Mahesh Kumatahalli have responded to the show- cause notice by letter.

“As they have not come to the party in person and responded by letter, another letter will be issued asking them to explain in person. If they are not around for a couple of days it would be ok, but the same would pose problem if they are missing for weeks,” Rao explained.

The CLP meet on January 18 was called as a show of strength to counter BJP claims that they will topple the coalition government in Karnataka.

Though their absence did not pose a threat, it suggested that all was not well within the Congress.

Sources state that Ramesh Jarkiholi was unhappy after being dropped as minister in the recent cabinet reshuffle.

During the meet Siddaramaiah said Jadhav had written saying that he would not be able to attend the meet as he was unwell, while Nagendra had spoken to AICC general secretary K C Venugopal conveying his inability to attend because of a court case.

However, after being absent for the CLP, speculations are rife that the four may join the BJP.