Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 7: Although leaders of the ruling coalition in the state have been trying to project themselves as not being bothered about the threat posed by dissidents, signals emanating from corridors of power indicate otherwise. Threatened by the likelihood of Operation Lotus, chief minister, Kumaraswamy, jolted by the crossing over of Chincholi MLA, Dr Umesh Jadhav, from Congress to BJP, has taken the lead to appease disgruntled legislators.

Sources claim that the chief minister, who met some of the dissident Congress legislators, requested them not to take any hasty decision about their political future. After getting intelligence inputs about the possibility of Gokak MLA, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Ballari (rural) MLA, B Nagendra, and Athani MLA, Mahesh Kumthalli, crossing over to the saffron party from the Congress, Kumaraswamy held parleys with Ramesh Jarkiholi and other dissidents in the latter's residence here on Wednesday.

The chief minister was closeted with the disgruntled MLAs for about an hour. He is said to have assured the legislators that political scenario in the state will undergo drastic changes after the Lok Sabha election, and that Ramesh Jarkiholi and B Nagendra would be given ministerial positions.

Political circles are surprised at the lead taken by Kumaraswamy to directly speak to Congress MLAs. They believe he does not have the confidence about the ability of Congress leaders to assuage the feelings of MLAs who are thinking of parting ways with the party.

In the meantime, there is information that Umesh Jadhav would be issued ticket from Kalaburagi Lok Sabha constituency while Ramesh Jarkiholi may be given Chikkodi constituency. Nagendra or his brother, Prasad, may get BJP ticket from Ballari Lok Sabha constituency, it is being claimed.