2 Congress MLAs quit, Karnataka government on edge

BENGALURU: The JD(S)-Congress leadership in Karnataka, which appeared to be enjoying a fairly lengthy lull in dissidence in its collective ranks, suffered a rude shock on Monday when two Congress MLAs resigned from the House. This sparked speculation that more ruling combine legislators would follow suit in the coming weeks, ahead of the legislature’s monsoon session.
Congress strength in the House is 81. If the resignations are accepted, Congress strength will come down to 79. In such a scenario, along with 37 JD(S) MLAs, the coalition strength in the 225-member House will come down to 116, three more than the magic figure 113.
BJP leader and former CM BS Yeddyurappa made it clear that his party is not averse to forming a government. “If the government falls on its own, we are not sanyasis (saints) to keep quiet. We will explore the possibility of forming a new government and look to avert fresh elections.”
While MLA Anand Singh, submitted his resignation to assembly speaker KR Ramesh Kumar in the morning, legislator Ramesh Jarkiholi, faxed his papers in the evening.
However, in an indication that the resignations may not be accepted, sources in the speaker’s office said both MLAs didn’t submit their resignation as per rules of procedure. The rule states the letter should be handwritten, signed by the MLA and should personally be delivered to the speaker.