This story is from September 23, 2018

Karnataka: Congress warns 'disgruntled' party MLAs

Karnataka: Congress warns 'disgruntled' party MLAs
The in-charge of the Congress party in Karnataka KC Venugopal (Centre)
BENGALURU: After weeks of drama, the Congress high command on Sunday finally sent out a stern warning to its disgruntled MLAs that it will not tolerate “blackmailing and threatening” tactics.
For the first time since the speculation that several Congress MLAs were on the verge of switching to the BJP began doing the rounds a fortnight ago, party leaders issued the warning.

“Let me make it very clear that the Congress party is strong enough to deal with people indulging in activities that are against the interests of the party,” AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka KC Venugopal said when reporters sought his reaction on on-going dissidence in the state Congress unit. “No blackmailing, no threatening will be tolerated. Strong action will be initiated against those who indulge in such activities.”
He said the party has confidence in its MLAs, but it will not hesitate to act against anybody if they are found indulging in mischief.
“We are aware of ground realities and that is why we have not taken any action so far,” he said, while adding that no Congress MLA will go to BJP.
On the Chennai tour of some Congress legislators, Venugopal said: “What is wrong if our MLAs go to Chennai? It’s a good city. The party, however, is verifying all such reports and if true, the party will take it very seriously.”
He also accused some BJP leaders of trying to lure Congress MLAs to their fold by offering money and power. “Yeddyurappa himself has contacted one of our MLAs and has offered money and power. Where are they getting such huge amounts of money from?” Venugopal wondered.

Stating that Congress is strong enough to face such situations, Venugopal said: “We have proved it during the vote of confidence motion. That time too, the BJP used government machinery and central government agencies, but we foiled all their tactics. Now also we will ensure that they are not successful.”
Cabinet expansion before Oct 10
The much-awaited cabinet expansion will happen before October 10 without fail, Venugopal said. “The party has decided to complete the exercise by October 10. There is no question of deferring it any further,” he said. Appointments to boards and corporations will also be made simultaneously, he said.
Earlier, the party had announced cabinet expansion will be carried out in the last week of September but deferred it owing to the internal rift. However, officially, the party citied the bypoll to three council seats as reason for postponement.
‘No threat to govt’
Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara said the on-going political drama “being produced and directed by the BJP” will end soon. He said the Congress-JD(S) coalition government was absolutely safe and wasn’t under any threat of being toppled.
“The frustrated BJP tried every leaf in its book to destabilize the coalition government, including spreading false rumours, but they have completely failed in their mission because the Congress MLAs stood firm in their objective,” Parameshwara said.
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