The ruling coalition JD(S) and Congress Government headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy veered to the brink of a collapse on Saturday as nearly a dozen of Congress and JD (S) MLAs planned to resign from the membership of the Legislative Assembly.
A group of MLAs led by former JD (S) president H Vishwanath trouped into the Legislative assembly speaker Ramesh Kumar’s chamber on Saturday afternoon. However, by then the speaker has left his chamber in the State secretariat.
MLAs to meet Governor
The MLAs, who stepped out of the Speaker's office, refused to speak to the press on their next move. They have now arrived at Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Vajubhai Vala.
Eight MLAs resign
As many as eight Congress and JD (S) legislators are said to have resigned from the membership of the Legislative Assembly on Saturday. The legislators have reportedly submitted their resignations to the Assembly Secretary M K Vishalakshi.
The MLAs have also reportedly submitted resignations to Speaker’s private secretary Roopashri.
The MLAs submitted resignations to the Secretary since Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar was not in his chamber in the State Secretariat. The Speaker left the office at around 11 am.
Meanwhile, Water Resources Minister Congress party’s ‘trouble shooter’ D K Shivakumar rushed to the State secretariat to request the legislators not to resign as the party is ready to look into their grievances.
Mr Shivakumar has straight away went to the Assembly Speaker’s chamber where a dozen of MLAs have been waiting for nearly an hour to meet the Speaker.
K.C. Venugopal, AICC General Secretary in-charge of Karnataka, too is expected to reach the state capital by Saturday evening to take stock of the development and discuss the issues raised by legislators.
Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, who is in the JD (S) party office, declined to comment on the matter.
Police security to Narayanagowda's residence
The K.R. Pet police have provided security to K.C. Narayanagowda's residence at K.R. Pet town on Saturday.
The two time Janata Dal (Secular) MLA from K.R. Pet Assembly segment, who is also a businessman in Mumbai, is said to have tendered his resignation on Saturday and decided to join the BJP.
Following the development, the police have stepped up the security to his residence.
Meanwhile, the JD(S) has decided to hold massive protests against Mr. Narayanagowda for his decision to resign and support the BJP.
1.45 p.m.
Seven-time MLA Ramalinga Reddy to quit Karnataka Assembly membership
Seven-time Congress MLA and former Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy, who represented the Congress in the BTM layout constituency in the Bengaluru City, confirmed that he is resigning from the membership of the Legislative Assembly.
Meanwhile, the Congress and JD(S) legislators have decided to stay put at the Speaker’s chamber in the State Secretariat till Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar arrives.
1.30 p.m.
Imminent resignations of MLAs push Karnataka ruling coalition to the brink
The ruling coalition JD(S) and Congress Government headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy veered to the brink of a collapse on Saturday as nearly a dozen of Congress and JD (S) MLAs planned to resign from the membership of the Legislative Assembly.
A group of MLAs led by former JD (S) president H Vishwanath trouped into the Legislative assembly speaker Ramesh Kumar’s chamber on Saturday afternoon. However, by then the speaker has left his chamber in the State secretariat.
The legislators have planned to tender resignations at a time when Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and State Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao are on a private visit to the U.S. and U.K., respectively.