Twelve rebel MLAs — seven of Congress, three of JD(S) and two Independents — are in a hotel in Mumbai. They have been at the hotel since Saturday, after resigning from the membership of the assembly and withdrawing support to the state’s coalition government.

All eyes were on Legislative Assembly Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar on Tuesday, who was scheduled to take a call on the resignations.

In a twist to the tale, the Speaker said that the resignation letters of only five of the 13 legislators from the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular), were in order.

SC likely to hear rebel Karnataka MLAs’ plea

The Supreme Court is likely to hear 10 rebel Congress and JD(S) MLAs challenging Karnataka Assembly Speaker K. Ramesh Kumar’s delay in accepting their resignations.

The matter was orally mentioned for urgent hearing before Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi on July 10.

Mr. Rohatgi submitted that the Speaker was not deliberately acting on their resignations. He sought a hearing today itself, if not tomorrow. “Time is of essence,” Mr. Rohatgi urged the court.

Will not budge: D.K. Shivakumar

Mr. Shivakumar reiterates that he has come to talk to them. "We are all family. Just because someone from the family is upset the left the house, will we let them go like that? We will speak to them and convince them."

He says he will stay put till he gets to meet them and will not leave. “Come let us sit and talk. All ministers have resigned. We will form a new cabinet. I believe in sharing and caring. Let us share. Let us care.

"Let it rain or let me drown. I will not budge. Will stay put here," he says.

"I don't have a weapon, I only have a heart," he adds.

MLA G.T. Deve Gowda, who has accompanied Minister D.K. Shivakumar to Mumbai, says he has confirmation that the MLAs have been shifted to another hotel through the back door.

“We have come here to talk to them. It is strange that in a democratic country we are stopped from entering a hotel where we have a room booking. It is all the game plan of the BJP," he says.

10 rebels seek police protection

The 10 MLAs from the ruling coalition have filed a complaint with Mumbai police, alleging that Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy and Congress leader D. K. Shivaumar are set to swarm into the hotel.

In their complaint filed before the police commissioner on Tuesday, they have sought police protection for the hotel in which they are staying.

Speaking from inside the hotel, MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi says that they do not wish to meet Mr. Shivakumar. He added that they were expecting four more MLAs to join them. "We are firm and four more will join us today," he says.

Another MLA ST Somashekhar says, "Friendship and politics are different. We will meet Mr Shivakumar later in Bengaluru but not today. We will not be able to see you in an embarrassing position. Please go back. You have played a vital role in moulding our political career."

Rebel MLA Basvaraj Byrathi said they are all friends but they do not want to speak to Mr. Shivakumar and others who have come to met them. "I request him to go back."

D.K. Shivakumar stopped from meeting 'rebel' MLAs in Mumbai hotel

Senior Congress leader and Karnataka Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar has been refused entry into the hotel in Mumbai, where the rebel ruling party MLAs have been staying since Saturday.

"I have come to meet my friends who I have been associated with for three to four decades. They are unhappy with us for some reason. It does not mean all is over," said Mr. Shivakumar.

BJP supporters, meanwhile, shouted slogans asking Mr. Shivakumar to go back.

Mr. Shivakumar is at Mumbai to convince the rebel MLAs to return to the party fold. The MLAs have submitted their resignations to the Speaker and moved to Mumbai, apparently at the behest of the BJP, threatening the stability of the Congress-JDS coalition government.

Congress seeks disqualification of rebel MLAs

In a stern message to rebel legislators of the party, the Congress on Tuesday submitted a petition to Legislative Assembly Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar seeking disqualification of all those who have resigned from the membership to the Assembly, except seven-time MLA Ramalinga Reddy, under the anti-defection law.

With the Speaker announcing that only five of the 13 resignations submitted are in order and others have to appear before him again, the party seems to have got a reprieve.

Sources in the party said they have decided not to act against Mr. Reddy, four-time Minister and MLA representing BTM Layout in Bengaluru, since he has not indulged in anti-party activities.

Congress leader Shivakumar arrives in Mumbai to meet rebel MLAs

Senior Congress leader and Karnataka Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar arrived in Mumbai Wednesday morning to make a last ditch attempt to pacify the rebel MLAs stationed here at a luxury hotel.

On his arrival, Shivakumar told reporters, “Let the Mumbai police or any other force be deployed. We have come to meet our friends. We are born together in politics and will die together.”

12 MLAs — seven of Congress, three of JD(S) and two Independents are in the city since Saturday after resigning from the membership of the assembly and withdrawing support to the state’s coalition government.

Late midnight, ten of the MLAs wrote to the police fearing threat to their lives and asked that Shivkumar be prevented from entering the hotel where they are put up. — PTI

BJP to seek Governor’s intervention

The Bharatiya Janata Party has decided to seek Governor Vajubhai Vala’s intervention in the political uncertainty following resignations by 14 MLAs and withdrawal of support to the government by two Independent members.

A decision to this effect was taken at the BJP legislature party meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, BJP State general secretary Arvind Limbavali said a high-level delegation of the party would meet the Governor on Wednesday to seek his intervention and to convince him that the coalition government has lost majority.

BJP to stage dharna on July 10, demanding CM’s resignation

BJP in Karnataka has decided to stage a dharna in Bengaluru on July 10, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who it claimed, has lost majority after 14 MLAs of the ruling Congress-JD(S) quit.

The coalition has been rocked by the resignations of 14 MLAs — 11 of Congress and three of JD(S).

“I have held discussions with our legislators and we have decided to hold a protest in front of the Gandhi statue at 11 AM, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Kumaraswamy who has lost majority,” party State unit Chief B.S. Yeddyurappa told reporters in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

The former Chief Minister has been holding a series of meetings with party leaders at his residence since morning on the ongoing political developments and BJP’s plan of action.— PTI