BENGALURU: Karnataka
Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Thursday said he would decide on the resignation of MLAs after applying his mind to the letters of resignations that he has received and in line with the requirement laid down by the Constitution of India. He has not taken a decision on the resignation letters yet.
"MLAs have submitted resignation in right format now.. I will have to examine whether resignations are voluntary and genuine," he said at a press conference held shortly after meeting rebel MLAs
Speaker Kumar said he would take a call on the new resignation letters in line with the Constitution.
"In today's political circumstances, whether these resignations are natural and voluntary I am not going to analyse ..I leave it to people's imagination.. But I will take a view only after conducting inquiries... why should i speed up a decision on resignations.. to please whom?", he said.
The Speaker's decision may have disappointed the rebel MLAs 11 of whom arrived by special flights from Mumbai. They are likely to seek a speedy decision from the
Supreme Court when the matter comes up before the court tomorrow.
The Speaker maintained that there was no urgency in the matter that the Constitution discourages defection, and that he has to satisfy himself from several aspects.
It is to be seen if the Speaker's tough stand will lead to a friction between the powers of the judiciary and that of Speaker.
In all, 16 MLAs have resigned, so far. And out of the 13 resignations received earlier, only five were in order. Eight were not, he had said. He told reporters on Thursday that that he is under no one's obligation and will take a view on resignations only in compliance with Article 190 of the Constitution of India. He expressed displeasure with sections of MLAs for approaching the Supreme Court for taking permission to appear before him as he had always been available to meet them in his office.
Ramesh Kumar said he has video-graphed the entire proceedings and sent everything to the Supreme Court Registrar General. He has also sought clarification from the apex court on what it meant by "a decision forthwith".
The number of MLAs who have resigned has now reached 16, including three of the JD(S). The BJP’s strength in the 224-member assembly, meanwhile, has gone up to 107 with two independents resigning from the cabinet and pledging their support to the party. The JD(S)-Congress tally has dropped to 101.