16 of 17 disqualified MLAs set to join BJP today; party excludes Roshan Baig's name

Congress' Roshan Baig had said that he would also join the BJP on November 14, but sources from the BJP said that the party would take his name into consideration after he receives a clean-chit in the ongoing IMA Ponzi scam

Bengaluru: A day after the Supreme Court permitted disqualified Congress and JD(S) MLAs to contest the impending Karnataka by-polls on December 5, the BJP released an official statement stating that 16 out of 17 disqualified MLAs in the state are set to join the ruling BJP today (November 14).

However, former Congress leader Roshan Baig's name was excluded from the list.

On Wednesday, sources shared that the BJP is open to the prospect of fielding all 17 disqualified Karnataka MLAs for the upcoming by-polls in the state. The top leadership, including BJP chief Amit Shah and working president JP Nadda, have given their "go-ahead" for fielding the disqualified MLAs from their erstwhile seats.

The decision was reportedly taken at a high-level meeting held today, in which senior state leaders were also present.

The by-polls in the state will be held in 15 out of the 17 seats on December 5.

According to sources, Roshan Baig's name could not be included in BJP till he gets a clean chit in IMA Ponzi scam.

In the Karnataka Assembly elections, BJP had emerged as the largest party winning 105 seats but failed to secure a majority in the 225-members assembly. The party is expecting that the by-polls in the 15 seats will boost their tally in the state.

The 14-month old Congress-JD(S) coalition government, led by HD Kumaraswamy collapsed in July this year following a series of resignations from MLAs paving way for the BJP which was the single largest party to form government in Karnataka.