Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 1: It is said that the BJP has been eager to lap up the opportunity offered by the fact that former minister, Roshan Baig, is in loggerheads with the Congress leadership. As part of its efforts to show to the people that it is not averse to Muslim leaders, it is said that prominent BJP leader, M J Akbar, met Baig in the city a few days back. Reports say that the BJP has offered Rajya Sabha membership to Baig subject to the approval of the party's central leadership.

Baig, who was miffed at not being given positions of importance in the Congress, had lashed out at All India Congress Committee general secretary in charge of Karnataka, K C Venugopal, former chief minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Dinesh Gundu Rao, holding them responsible for the party's lackluster performance at the hustings.

The BJP leadership had thought of making Baig a member of the legislative council. But the party is said to have thought of giving him a place of more prominence in the form of Rajya Sabha seat considering the fact that he is backed by rich experience and has good following in Muslim community. He might also be offered a national level position in the organizational setup of the party additionally, it is learnt.

If the proposal is approved by the party high command, Baig might quit Congress. Whether Baig will accept this offer is a million dollar question as he takes pride in his association with the Congress and has praised Rahul Gandhi's leadership.

Siddaramaiah has, in response to reported efforts being made to topple the state government, reiterated that the government is as solid as a rock and no one can shake it. He pointed out that 72 out of 79 MLAs of the party had attended the Congress legislature party convened by him and the others had informed him of their reasons for remaining absent. However, he agreed that Gokak MLA, Ramesh Jarkiholi, and MLA, Roshan Baig, stayed away from the meeting without offering any explanations for their absence.