‘Threat from Cong Leaders,’ Rebel K’taka MLAs Write to Police
Catch all the live updates on the Karnataka coalition government crisis here.
Eleven rebel Congress MLAs in Karnataka, who resigned from their Assembly seats, skipped the party's legislature meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday, 9 July.
On Monday, 7 July, all ministers of the JD(S)- Congress coalition resigned to placate the rebel MLAs. Fourteen MLAs are now in a place about 90 km from Pune and will wait for the Speaker's decision on their resignations before taking a call on proceeding to Goa or returning to Bengaluru
- The BJP’s numbers in the 224-member Assembly have gone up to 107
- If the resignations of the 13 MLAs are accepted, the strength of the Cong-JD(S) coalition will fall to 103
- Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy had earlier said that the government will run smoothly.“The issue will be resolved, don’t worry,” he said
- Amid claims about hatching a conspiracy, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that BJP had nothing to with the turmoil
Rebel MLAs Write to Mumbai Police About Threat from Congress Leaders
In a letter signed by 14 rebel MLAs from Karnataka, they have written to the Mumbai police expressing their desire not to meet any Congress leaders anticipating ‘serious threat’
MLAs May Travel to Shirdi for Darshan
Karnataka Congress and JD(S) MLAs staying in Renaissance Hotel in Powai may be traveling to Shirdi on Saturday, 13 July, by a chartered plane to take darshan from Sri Saibaba.
On Friday, two batches of four MLAs each visited Sri Siddhivinayak temple at Prabhadevi to take darshan of Lord Ganesha.
Karnataka Congress Rebel MLAs Skip Party Meet
Eleven rebel Congress MLAs in Karnataka, who resigned from their Assembly seats, skipped the party's legislature meeting in Benagluru on Tuesday, an official told IANS.
"None of the rebel legislators turned up for the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting despite giving them a notice on 7 July to be present at it in the Vidhan Soudha (state Secretariat)," party spokesman Ravi Gowda said.
BJP Indulging in Anti-Democratic Activities: Siddaramaiah
Former CM of Karnataka Siddaramaiah said, “Many senior leaders could not be made ministers in the first time. To accommodate them the ministers have submitted their resignations to the KPCC president. He should take a decision and inform now. As of now, there is a government and cabinet.”
He accused the BJP of indulging in “anti-democratic” activities. He said, “In 2018 people of Karnataka have not given BJP mandate, there was a fractured mandate. As per matter of fact, percent wise, both JD(S) and Congress put together have more vote share. And we (Congress) have more vote share than BJP.”
Why is Yeddyurappa Sending His PA to Pick up Our Ministers?: DK Shivakumar
Senior Congress leader and Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar, said, "Mr Rajnath Singh is saying that 'we are nowhere bothered, we are not interested, we don't know about this' (political situation in Karnataka). BS Yeddyurappa is also saying the same, but he is sending his PA to pick up all our Ministers."
No MLA Has Sought an Appointment With Me Yet: Karnataka Speaker
Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar told ANI that no MLA has sought an appointment with him yet. He said, “If anyone wants to meet me, I will be available in my office,” he said.
He added, “I am nowhere related to the current political developments. I am acting as per the Constitution.”
Confident Govt Will Survive: Gundu Rao
Karnataka Congress President Dinesh Gundu Rao told ANI,“I am confident that the government will survive and the government will stay.”
Karnataka Congress Legislative Party Meeting Begins in Vidhan Soudha
Karnataka Congress Legislative Party meeting is underway in Vidhan Soudha. Four MLAs including MTB Nagaraj, Anjali Nimbalkar, K Sudhakar and Roshan Baig skipped the meeting. Although the others have not mentioned a reason for their absence, Nagaraj has written a letter saying he is unwell.
Congress MLA Soumya Reddy Arrives For CLP Meet
Congress MLA Soumya Reddy, who was rumoured to submit her resignation, arrives for Congress Legislative Party meeting. Soumya is the daughter of Ramalinga Reddy, who has submitted his resignation.
Siddaramaiah, Kharge Arrive for CLP Meet; to Begin Shortly
Congress leaders Siddaramaiah, Priyank Kharge and others arrived at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru for the Congress Legislative Party Meeting.
14 MLAs Taken to Pune from Mumbai, Expected to Reach Goa
Fourteen MLAs of the ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition in Karnataka, who left Mumbai on Monday evening for Goa, were taken to Pune and are expected to reach the coastal state on Tuesday in a special flight, sources said.
The MLAs – 10 of the Congress, two of the JD (S) and two Independents – were to travel to Goa by road, accompanied by Mumbai BJP Yuva Morcha president Mohit Bhartiya, the sources said.
But, they were taken to Pune in Maharashtra from where they are likely to take a flight to Goa, they said.
All Eyes on Speaker Ramesh Kumar
Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar, who has been on a leave amid all the drama in the state, will come back today, to look at the resignations that have been submitted by the Karnataka MLAs in the past few days.
Apart from that Congress and BJP both are expected to hold Legislative Party meetings in Bengaluru.
Cong MLAs Not in Goa, at Undisclosed Mumbai Location
Congress MLAs who were staying in Mumbai had planned to shift to Pune, later changing it to Goa. But they are now staying back at an undisclosed location in Mumbai.
'We're at 107': Yeddyurappa After Party Meet
Speaking on CM Kumaraswamy’s statement that the coalition government will “run smoothly” , BJP’s BS Yeddyurappa said, “Two Independent MLAs met the Governor and gave a letter (saying) that they'll support BJP. Now, we're at 107. Even when they've lost majority, Kumaraswamy is speaking like that, people are observing everything. Let us see and wait.”
The BJP is planning to hold protests against the coalition government in every district of the state starting Tuesday.
'Will Resign as MLA and Join BJP': Congress' Roshan Baig
Amid the coalition government crisis in Karnataka, Congress leader and Shivajinagar MLA Roshan Baig told ANI that he will resign from his MLA post and join BJP.
“I’m hurt by the way Congress party treated me, I'll resign from my MLA post and join BJP,” he was quoted as saying by the news agency.
Karnataka JD(S) MLAs Being Shifted to Golfshire Club in Bengaluru
The Karnataka JD(S) MLAs are now being shifted to Prestige Golfshire Club, Nandi Hills Road in Devanahalli.
Rebel MLAs to Shift From Mumbai to Goa
The rebel Congress and JD(S) MLAs from Karnataka, who are staying at a hotel in Mumbai, will be shifting to Goa, ANI reported.
Senior Congress Leaders to Meet Shortly
Senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Siddaramaiah, deputy CM G Parameshwara are expected to meet shortly, presumably to discuss the ongoing coalition government crisis in Karnataka.
Independent MLA R Shankar Resigns as Minister
Amid the coalition government crisis in Karnataka, Independent MLA R Shankar has tendered his resignation as a minister. Shankar has also given a letter withdrawing support to the coalition government and supporting the BJP to the governor, BJP leader Arvind Limbavali said.
“They have supported us. Shankar and Nagesh have supported us and our leader went to congratulate them,” Limbavali said.
Cong-JD(S) Govt Exploring Legal Options: What is the Coalition Planning?
'CM Should Resign Immediately': BS Yeddyurappa
Speaking ahead of the BJP legislative party meeting in Bengaluru, BS Yeddyurappa on Monday asserted that Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy “should resign immediately”.
“We are now having a BJP legislative party meeting and we are going to take appropriate decision there. Tomorrow, all our workers will protest, because Congress-JD(S) lost the majority, so CM should resign immediately. That is the people’s aspiration also… When they lost the confidence, they have no moral right to conduct the business. That is why we are demanding that he (CM) resign immediately,” news agency ANI quoted Yeddyurappa as saying.
Independent MLA Nagesh Reaches Mumbai Hotel Where Rebels Are Camping
Karnataka minister and Independent MLA H Nagesh reached Mumbai on Monday, hours after resigning and withdrawing support to the HD Kumaraswamy-led government in the southern state.
Nagesh reached the luxury hotel in suburban Bandra, where 10 MLAs of the ruling JD(S) and Congress are staying since Saturday.
'How Much Money Spent to Buy MLAs?': Karnataka Cong Slams BJP
Alleging that the BJP had a role to play in the resignations of the MLAs, the Karnataka Congress asked PM Modi, along with Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah to reveal how much money was spent to “buy MLAs” and why BS Yeddyurappa’s PA “accompanied (an) MLA to aircraft”, as it labelled the saffron party as “traitors of democracy”.
Congress MLA Soumya Reddy to Attend Legislative Party Meeting Tomorrow
Congress MLA Soumya Reddy, who is the daughter of dissenting party MLA Ramalinga Reddy who had tendered his resignation, will be in Bengaluru on Tuesday and attend the Congress Legislative Party meeting.
Senior Congress Leaders to Meet at 7 pm in Delhi Today
Amid the mounting coalition crisis in Karnataka, senior Congress leaders will meeting in Delhi at 7 pm on Monday.
All JD(S) Ministers Submit Their Resignations
All the JD(S) ministers submitted their resignations, after 21 Congress ministers stepped down from their posts earlier in the day. The Cabinet will be reshuffled at the earliest, CM Kumaraswamy’s office said.
Yeddyurappa's PA Hijacked Nagesh: DK Shivakumar
Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar claimed that independent MLA Nagesh was “hijacked” by Yeddyurappa’s PA.
“Just now Nagesh called me and said that he has been hijacked by Mr Yeddyurappa’s PA. By the time I reached airport the flight had left,” said Shivakumar.
'Don't Worry,' Says Kumaraswamy
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that the government will run smoothly.
“The issue will be resolved, don't worry. This government will run smoothly,” said Kumaraswamy.
Cong-JD(S) Coalition Will Collapse Before Monsoon Session: BJP Leader Eshwarappa
Senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa said the coalition government will collapse before the monsoon session. Eshwarappa also urged CM HD Kumaraswamy to “resign gracefully.”
Our Party Has Never Indulged in Horse Trading: Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh rubbished claims that BJP was involved in poaching the MLAs in Karnataka in the Lok Sabha. “Our party has nothing to do with what is happening in Karnataka. Our party has never indulged in horse trading,” Singh said.
'21 Congress Ministers Have Resigned Voluntarily': Siddaramaiah
Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah addressed the media after meeting with Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara at his residence and said, “21 Karnataka Congress ministers have resigned voluntarily.”
“The Independents have given us support. All together, we have 120 MLAs. 104 is not 120, magic figure is 113,” Siddaramaiah said.
He further slammed BJP for using central agencies to destabilise the coalition government over the past year.
We Are Firm on Our Decision: Rebel MLA Pratap Gauda Patil
Rebel Congress MLA Pratap Gauda Patil said the disgruntled MLAs are firm on their decision and that “resignation drama will not work.”
“Even though all the ministers have resigned from their post, we will not change our decision. We will not come back,” Patil said.
CM Kumaraswamy Holds Meeting With Dy CM Parameshwara
Chief Minister Kumaraswamy leaves G Parameshwara's house after a four-hour-long meeting.
All Congress Ministers Submit Their Resignation to KPCC
Sources told The Quint that all the Congress Ministers have submitted their resignation to the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.
Meanwhile, independent MLA H Nagesh who resigned, is reportedly on the way to Mumbai to join the rebel MLAs.
'Kumaraswamy Should Resign Immediately': BJP Leader Shobha Karandlaje
BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje called for the immediate resignation of CM Kumaraswamy and said the BJP will accept anybody into the party who is from a non-political dispensation.”
Further, Karandlaje said, they are not in touch with any rebel MLAs of the Congress and JD(S), as long as they are with their parties.
'Nagesh Has Too Much Pressure From Few People': DK Shivakumar
Addressing the issue of independent MLA H Nagesh's resignation, Congress leader DK Shivakumar said, “Nagesh has too much pressure from few people. He spoke to the chief minister. We are in touch with him. Siddaramaiah, Venugopal and the CM will brief the media.”
'BJP Is a Poacher Party': Congress Leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called the BJP a “poacher party” and said, “We'll try to raise the issue in Parliament, but we won't reveal our weapons,” ANI reported.
Independent MLA H Nagesh Resigns
Independent MLA R Nagesh has resigned from his minister post, ANI reported.
“I would further by this letter unequivocally state I would extend my support to the Govt of BJP if called for by your good self,” Nagesh said.
Nagesh is the 14th MLA to resign from the Kumaraswamy-led cabinet.
'All Congress Ministers Are Going to Resign': DK Suresh
Congress MP DK Suresh said, all Karnataka Congress ministers are set to resign to accommodate the rebel legislators, ANI reported. However, sources told The Quint that no decision has been taken yet.
Suresh slammed the BJP national leaders behind the fiasco. “BJP people don’t want this government or any opposition party to rule in the state or in the country. They are destroying the democracy,” Suresh said.
'If Need Be, All of Us May Resign to Accommodate Rebel MLAs': K'taka Dy CM
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has called a breakfast meeting of the ministers belonging to the Congress. “We know what the BJP is trying to do. If need be, all of us may resign and then accommodate the MLAs,” Parameshwara said, according to ANI.
Karnataka Congress Legislature Party leader Siddharamaiah and Ministers UT Khader, RB Timmapur, Shivashankara Reddy, Venkataramanappa, Jayamala, MB Patil, Krishna Byre Gowda, Rajshekar Patil, Rajshekar Patil, DK Shivakumar attended the meeting.
Kumaraswamy, Rebel Cong MLA Ramalinga Reddy Hold Meeting
Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and rebel Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy hold meeting at an undisclosed location in Bengaluru.
Deputy CM Parameshwara Calls for Breakfast Meeting
Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka G Parameshwara called Congress ministers for a breakfast at his residence on Monday, 8 July.
'Centre Helping Karnataka BJP to Topple JD(S)-Congress Govt': Mallikarjun Kharge
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the BJP government at the Centre is helping Karnataka’s BJP unit to topple the Congress-JD(S) government.
He told ANI, “It is a constitutionally elected government in Karnataka. They (BJP) are destabilising it. In about 14 states, they are pressurising not only the Congress MLAs, but also the regional party members.”
'None of the 13 MLAs Will Withdraw Resignations': Rebel MLA Somashekar
Rebel Karnataka Congress MLA ST Somashekar, while speaking to reporters outside Sofitel hotel in Mumbai, said, “We 13 MLAs submitted our resignations to the Speaker and have informed the Governor. We all are together. No question of going back to Bengaluru and withdrawing the resignations.”
He said 10 MLAs are currently lodged in the Mumbai hotel and they will not be attending the Congress Legislature Party meeting on 9 July.
'Ready to Resign if Party Wants': JD(S) Leader GT Devegowda
Senior JD(S) leader GT Devegowda told ANI that he is ready to resign if his party decided so. He added that he will not be joining the BJP.
He added, “I spoke to H Vishwanath, he said he'll come back. If both the parties decide to make Siddaramaiah the CM or anyone else from either JD(S) or Congress, I am okay with it.”
30 Rooms Booked in Ramada Hotel by Karnataka BJP Unit For Their MLAs
BJP’s Karnataka unit has booked 30 rooms for two days in Ramada Hotel on Doddaballapur Road in Bengaluru for their MLAs, reported ANI.
CM HD Kumaraswamy Arrives in Bengaluru, to Hold Meeting Shortly
Amid the ongoing political crisis in Karnataka, chief minister HD Kumaraswamy arrived at the HAL airport in Bengaluru on Sunday, 7 July, ahead of a crucial meeting with top officials. He was on a private visit to the United States.
Plane That Flew MLAs to Mumbai Belongs to Firm Associated With BJP RS Member
The chartered plane in which 10 rebel MLAs of the Congress and the JD(S) flew from Bengaluru to Mumbai belongs to a company associated with Rajeev Chandrasekhar, a Rajya Sabha member of the BJP, company sources told PTI.
The plane belongs to Jupiter Capital Private Limited. Chandrasekhar is the founder and chairman of the company.
Admitting that the aircraft that ferried the MLAs belonged to Jupiter Capital, the company officials clarified that they were running a business and whoever wanted to use the plane could do so.
"It is a charter operation and the aircraft is chartered regularly by various people," a top official of the company told PTI requesting anonymity.
The officials refused to divulge the information as to who had booked the flight and on whose behalf.
"BJP Has Nothing to Do With Ongoing Political Crisis in Karnataka": G Kishan Reddy
Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy on Sunday, 7 July, said the BJP has nothing to do with the ongoing political crisis in Karnataka and noted that it was only because of lack of faith in their own leadership that Congress and JD (S) legislators were rebelling.
"Such allegations were made against the BJP even earlier but we have nothing to do with the resignation of MLAs in Karnataka,” Reddy said while addressing a gathering of BJP workers in Vijayawada, reported PTI.
He said the Congress and JD(S) leaders had lost faith in their leadership and were hence quitting.
The Union Minister said Andhra Pradesh and Telangana too would witness political tremors in the near future.
Power Struggle Between Siddaramaiah & Kumaraswamy Behind Karnataka Political Crisis: BJP's Prahlad Joshi
It is the "power struggle" between Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah and current incumbent HD Kumaraswamy which has resulted in a political crisis in the state, senior BJP leader and Union minister Pralhad Joshi told PTI on Sunday, 7 July.
Dubbing the Congress's claim of a BJP hand behind the resignation of ruling alliance MLAs to destabilise the government in the state as "bogus", Joshi said, "All this is happening because the Congress has become leaderless and rather than blaming others, they should settle their house first." There is complete "anarchy" in Congress and its Karnataka unit is "functioning like an independent entity as central leadership has no say in the state unit," Joshi, a former chief of the state BJP unit, told PTI.
Circular to All MLAs to Attend CLP Meet on 9 July
Circular has been issued by Congress to all MLAs to attend Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting called by CLP leader Siddaramaiah on 9 July. Karnataka Congress in charge KC Venugopal and Karnataka Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao will also be present in the meet.
The circular also mentions that strict action will be taken against those Congress MLAs who don't attend the meeting.
Maharashtra Youth Congress Detained During Protests Outside Sofitel Hotel
Maharashtra Youth Congress workers including its vice-president Suraj Singh Thakur have been detained by police during their protest outside Sofitel hotel asking Karnataka Congress MLAs to take back their resignation, reported ANI.
Congress Legislature Party Meeting to be Held on 9 July
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting will be held on 9 July at Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru, reported ANI.
'Congress a Sinking Ship, Hence MLAs Deserting It': Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Congress is a sinking ship whose captain Rahul Gandhi is deserting it, senior BJP leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Sunday, 7 July, and claimed MLAs quitting the party in Karnataka was a fallout of it.
"Congress is a sinking ship and Rahul Gandhi who is it's captain is deserting it. When the captain will flee, the Congress MLAs will not be behind in fleeing," Chouhan said launching Delhi BJP's membership campaign at JLN stadium in New Delhi.
BJP Will Decide After Karnataka Speaker Decides on MLAs' Resignation: Yeddyurappa
Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa said the party is watching the political developments in the state after the resignation of over a dozen ruling Congress-JD(S) MLAs. He added that those in the BJP are not "sanyasis" to rule out the possibility of forming the government in the state.
"Let's wait and watch. Are we sanyasis (hermits)? After the resignation process is over and the speaker takes his decision, leaders of our party will discuss and decide," he said in response to a question whether the BJP was preparing to form the government.
Speaking to reporters in Tumkur, the former chief minister said, "Ours is a national party, after discussing with the national leadership, we will take a decision." Asked whether the coalition government will collapse, he repeated, "Let's wait and watch".
Not Aware of Presence of Dissident Karnataka MLAs in Mumbai: Maharashtra BJP
The Maharashtra BJP claimed that it was not aware of the presence of any dissident MLAs of the Congress-JD(S) combine from Karnataka in Mumbai, reported PTI.
After submitting the resignations, 10 MLAs flew by a chartered flight and arrived at a hotel in Mumbai late Saturday night, sources close to them told PTI.
When contacted, Maharashtra BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhayay said:
Rebel JD(S) MLA AH Vishwanath told reporters on Saturday that “14 MLAs from Congress and JD(S) have resigned”, but Karnataka Assembly secretariat sources said 13 legislators have put in their papers, including Vijayanagara MLA Anand Singh, who had submitted his resignation to the speaker's office earlier in the week.
BJP MLC Reaches Sofitel Hotel in Mumbai
BJP MLC Prasad Lad has reached Sofitel hotel in Mumbai. MLAs of Karnataka are currently present in this hotel.
DK Shivakumar Meets HD Deve Gowda
Congress leader and Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar meets JD(S) leader and former PM, HD Deve Gowda in Bengaluru.
Congress Leader DK Shivakumar to Meet JD(S) President Deve Gowda
Congress leader DK Shivakumar to hold a meeting with JD(S) national president HD Deve Gowda.
In Touch With 5-6 MLAs, Says Siddaramaiah
Speaking to the media, Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “I am in touch with 5-6 MLAs. I can't reveal all details.”
Mallikarjun Kharge Alleges Centre Directly Involved in Karnataka Crisis
Speaking to the media, senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge blamed the Centre for the ongoing crisis in Karnataka and said that the BJP is targeting non-BJP governments in other states. He also said that the party is in touch with the disgruntled MLAs but added that a clearer picture will emerge on 12 July.
On being questioned about his name coming up as the new Karnataka chief minister, Kharge said, “I will not be the next chief minister. These are just rumours being fed to the press.”
Our Party Has Nothing to do With the Resignations: BS Yeddyurappa
Speaking to the reporters, BJP state unit President BS Yeddyurappa distanced his party from the resignations of the Congress-JD(S) MLAs and said that the BJP has nothing to with it.
11 Cong-JD(S) MLAs Arrive in Mumbai
The 11 Congress-JD(S) MLAs, who submitted their resignation, arrived at Mumbai airport.
Kharge Leaves for Bengaluru
Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that he had faith that the MLAs, who’ve resigned, will stick with the party.
“Many of the MLAs who want to leave Congress have been associated with the party for a long time. I've faith that they'll stay with us and support the party. I'm going to Bengaluru. I'll make further comments after looking at the ground situation there,” said Kharge.
'MODI - Mischievously Orchestrated Defections in India,' Says Surjewala
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala accused PM Narendra Modi of encouraging defections.
“A new symbol of horse trading politics has emerged in the country, MODI - Mischievously Orchestrated Defections in India,” said Surjewala.
KC Venugopal Arrives in Bengaluru
Karnataka Congress in-charge KC Venugopal arrives in Bengaluru.
Congress Workers Protest
Congress workers protest outside the Congress office, against the MLAs who submitted their resignations to the Assembly Speaker today.
Holding Meetings Over Corporation Polls, Not Resignation: Deve Gowda
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda said that he was holding a meeting with party workers to prepare for corporation polls and not over the resignations.
“I'm not going to react to anything. I have not spoken to anybody. I'm only holding my party workers meeting just to prepare ourselves for the corporation polls,” said Gowda.
Rebel JD(S)-Congress MLAs Reach Bengaluru Airport
Some JD(S)-Congress MLAs who resigned have reached HAL Airport in Bengaluru, reported ANI.
Karnataka Speaker to Return to Office on Tuesday
Talking to media, Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar said, “I was at Vidhan Soudha this morning. I even held a meeting with additional Chief Secretary, Finance. No one took any appointment with me over the phone or through a letter. Since one of my relatives is in hospital in a serious condition, I left office to meet him,”.
He said that Sunday is a holiday and he is busy with a personal work on Monday, he will return to office only on Tuesday. “When I called my office, I was told 11 people have given their resignation. I have told my office to give them appointment. I will talk to all of them,” he added.
Three MLAs Leave Vidhan Soudha with DK Shivakumar
According to sources, three Congress MLAs went with senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar, after the submitted their resignations. After the news of the resignations broke, DK Shivakumar had held a meeting with the Congress MLAs in Speaker’s chamber.
Talking to the media before this meeting, Shivakumar had said, “Nobody will resign. I have come to meet them.”
Last week, one Congress MLA Anand Singh had submitted his resignation. If these 11 MLAs submit their resignations, the strength of the coalition government will be reduced to 106.
BJP Needs 15 MLAs to Resign
The BJP, which has 105 seats in the Assembly, needed 15 MLAs to resign to bring down the coalition government and form its own. With these new resignations, the BJP will now require only three more MLAs to resign to topple the government.
According to BJP sources, more MLAs are expected to submit their resignations.
When asked if the BJP will form the government, BJP leader Sadananda Gowda said:
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