Disqualified Karnataka MLAs jittery as BJP refuses to promise board posts

BENGALURU: Waiting for the Supreme Court to decide their political future, 17 disqualified MLAs are on tenterhooks as their political clout appears to be clipped by both the law and BJP.
At least 10 of them are are seeking nomination posts in boards and corporations, arguing that the law does not bar them from holding such posts. However, former legislators claim the party is not ready to commit.
“All of us cannot be inducted into the cabinet.The next best option is to nominate some of us to boards and corporations. I don’t know why BJP is dithering,” said a disqualified legislator now in Delhi with his colleagues.
Of the disqualified MLAs — 14 from Congress and three from JD(S) — six or seven may be given ministerial berths as reward for helping bring the BJP back to power.
But, the legislators have to wait for the Supreme Court to decide on their petition challenging their disqualification.
“We understand their frustration. While the leadership is genuinely sympathetic, some could have been nominated to boards or corporations. But, they’re not eligible to hold any posts till their disqualification is revoked or they win the next elections, ” said BJP leader CP Yogeshwar who is with the disqualified MLAs.
However, legal experts differed, citing a provision under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution.
“Disqualification means an MLA ceases to be a member of the current assembly and he’s not eligible to be a state minister. But, there is no bar on appointing him to any state-owned corporation or board,” said KV Dhananjay, a Constitution expert and Supreme Court advocate.
Dhananjay added: “It’s an altogether different matter that turncoats should be denied such positions on moral grounds.”
Meanwhile, K Sudhakar, a disqualified Congress legislator, continues to be chairman of the Karnataka State Pollution Board.