Bengaluru, 21 June

State BJP President BY Vijayendra said the “betrayal” of some party MLAs who “cross-voted” in last week’s MLC polls will be pursued to its logical end at a legislative party meet that will be held in Dharamasthala.

Speaking to the press on Sunday, Vijayendra indicated that the BJP MLAs will be asked to make a 'Pramaana' (taking an oath/vow) before Lord Manjunatha (Shiva) there. Dharmasthala, on the banks of the Nethravati River in Dakshina Kannada district, has an 800-year-old history, and it is believed that anyone who utters a lie in front of Lord Manjunatha will face severe consequences.

This will likely happen next week, Vijayendra said, adding that "However big we may be, we all believe in God”.

The Shikaripura MLA said that 63 BJP legislators are under suspicion because of four cross-votes by MLAs.

Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, R Ashoka, and others, have already been summoned by BJP National President Nitin Nabin to New Delhi over the row.

The BJP has set up a fact-finding committee, headed by leaders CT Ravi, Mahesh Tenginakayi, and N Mahesh, to probe the issue.

Congress on Thursday won five of the seven Legislative Council seats that went to the polls, while the opposition BJP bagged two. The JD(S) failed to win the one seat it contested. The Congress received 151 votes— 11 more than the expected 140, sources said.