This explains why the BJP members from Kranataka were so eager to cross vote. They were Congress folks who got elected on BJP tickets!
Pioneer, 24 July 2008
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Rewarding defectors
Nidhi Sharma | New Delhi
Win in bag, Cong set to distribute goodies
After winning the vote of confidence with the help of Opposition detractors, the Congress is set to distribute the goodies. <b>In a Cabinet reshuffle, JMM's Shibu Soren would be accommodated in the Council of Ministers and parliamentary tickets have been promised to almost all BJP MPs who helped UPA in the final touchdown.</b>
The expulsion of Somnath Chatterjee from the CPM has created an opportunity for the UPA to make some political payout to the Samajwadi Party also. According to sources, in case Chatterjee resigns as Speaker, <b>the Congress may propose the name of SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's brother Ram Gopal Yadav for the post.</b>
Congress sources indicated that a Cabinet reshuffle might not see the inclusion of SP as it is supporting the UPA from outside, but the Speaker's office could be a good way of strengthening ties with the party's new-found ally.
The timing of the imminent reshuffle is not yet known but sources indicated that the party could wait until next week before bringing about the changes. It is likely to be done after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returns from the SAARC summit in Colombo on August 1. The reason being that the Congress does not want Soren's inclusion to be seen as an obvious reward for voting in favour of the Government. The changes in Cabinet are likely to be coupled with organisational reshuffle in the Congress also. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Orissa are likely to get new presidents in their State units. There would be widespread changes in the party's central unit also.
<b>The Opposition MPs, who either abstained or voted in favour of the UPA, will extract their pound of flesh. According to sources, BJP MP from Gujarat Somabhai Ganda Patel, who voted for the UPA, would contest on a Congress ticket in the 2009 parliamentary elections. His son Jagdish had been fielded by the Congress from Veramgaon in 2007 Assembly elections.</b> However, Gujarat BJP MP Babubhai Katara might not be that lucky. Seeing the number of charges he is facing, including human trafficking and poll-related offences, the Congress is planning to watch where the cases go before committing anything.
<b>Sources said the Congress depended on old ties to poach BJP MPs</b>. Another BJP MP from Karnataka who voted with the Government -- Manjunath -- has been promised a ticket for the parliamentary elections. A senior leader said: "Manjunath has served two terms in the Karnataka Assembly as a Congress MLA. He even contacted the party for a ticket from Dharwad in the recent Assembly elections but could not be accommodated. Now he has been promised a ticket." Sources said <b>Janata Dal (S) MP Sivanna, who has been a Youth Congress president and an office-bearer of NSUI, would also be rewarded. BJP MP Manorama Madhavraj's son had also fought on a Congress ticket from Udupi in the Assembly elections. </b>
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So expelling them is what they want. Need something else that will deter such behavior.
I thought Katara was probably arm twisted than paid off as he has many cases. There is a pattern in who gets such offers. So in future parties should be careful who they chose to field and be wary of vulnerable MPs after elections. Katara was clear case of potential arm twisting. Based on past history of the Karnataka MPs dont know how difficult the inducement was! Must have been easy.
I dont see why Somnath Chatterjee should resign.
Pioneer, 24 July 2008
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Rewarding defectors
Nidhi Sharma | New Delhi
Win in bag, Cong set to distribute goodies
After winning the vote of confidence with the help of Opposition detractors, the Congress is set to distribute the goodies. <b>In a Cabinet reshuffle, JMM's Shibu Soren would be accommodated in the Council of Ministers and parliamentary tickets have been promised to almost all BJP MPs who helped UPA in the final touchdown.</b>
The expulsion of Somnath Chatterjee from the CPM has created an opportunity for the UPA to make some political payout to the Samajwadi Party also. According to sources, in case Chatterjee resigns as Speaker, <b>the Congress may propose the name of SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav's brother Ram Gopal Yadav for the post.</b>
Congress sources indicated that a Cabinet reshuffle might not see the inclusion of SP as it is supporting the UPA from outside, but the Speaker's office could be a good way of strengthening ties with the party's new-found ally.
The timing of the imminent reshuffle is not yet known but sources indicated that the party could wait until next week before bringing about the changes. It is likely to be done after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh returns from the SAARC summit in Colombo on August 1. The reason being that the Congress does not want Soren's inclusion to be seen as an obvious reward for voting in favour of the Government. The changes in Cabinet are likely to be coupled with organisational reshuffle in the Congress also. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Orissa are likely to get new presidents in their State units. There would be widespread changes in the party's central unit also.
<b>The Opposition MPs, who either abstained or voted in favour of the UPA, will extract their pound of flesh. According to sources, BJP MP from Gujarat Somabhai Ganda Patel, who voted for the UPA, would contest on a Congress ticket in the 2009 parliamentary elections. His son Jagdish had been fielded by the Congress from Veramgaon in 2007 Assembly elections.</b> However, Gujarat BJP MP Babubhai Katara might not be that lucky. Seeing the number of charges he is facing, including human trafficking and poll-related offences, the Congress is planning to watch where the cases go before committing anything.
<b>Sources said the Congress depended on old ties to poach BJP MPs</b>. Another BJP MP from Karnataka who voted with the Government -- Manjunath -- has been promised a ticket for the parliamentary elections. A senior leader said: "Manjunath has served two terms in the Karnataka Assembly as a Congress MLA. He even contacted the party for a ticket from Dharwad in the recent Assembly elections but could not be accommodated. Now he has been promised a ticket." Sources said <b>Janata Dal (S) MP Sivanna, who has been a Youth Congress president and an office-bearer of NSUI, would also be rewarded. BJP MP Manorama Madhavraj's son had also fought on a Congress ticket from Udupi in the Assembly elections. </b>
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
So expelling them is what they want. Need something else that will deter such behavior.
I thought Katara was probably arm twisted than paid off as he has many cases. There is a pattern in who gets such offers. So in future parties should be careful who they chose to field and be wary of vulnerable MPs after elections. Katara was clear case of potential arm twisting. Based on past history of the Karnataka MPs dont know how difficult the inducement was! Must have been easy.
I dont see why Somnath Chatterjee should resign.