13 BJP MLAs break ranks to join Yeddy's KJP today

Thirteen Karnataka MLAs from the BJP who resigned from the party, will join BS Yeddyurappa’s Karnataka Janata Party on Thursday.

An IBN-Live report says that the MPs will take their oath of membership on Thursday.

The MLAs on Wednesday met assembly speaker KG Bopaiah in his office at the state secretariat and tendered their resignations from the Assembly membership in person, several hours after which they were accepted. The resignation of Vittala Katakadonda however, was not accepted for ’technical reasons'.

With the resignations becoming official, the BJP now has a strength of 105, Congress 71, JDS 26, independents 7 (one of whom is supporting the Government and is in the Ministry) and the Speaker.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President G Parameshwara alleged there was a ‘secret understanding’ between the BJP and KJP to prevent the fall of the government.

Speaking to reporters near Mangalore, he said Congress leaders would meet Governor HR Bhardwaj soon and discuss the political situation.

However, Shettar, whose government now survives on a wafer thin majority in the wake of 12 MLAs resigning yesterday alleged that the legislators had acted under pressure.

“The government is stable and I will present the budget,” (on 8 February), Shettar said.

He rejected the charge that Speaker KG Bopaiah had indulged in politics by delaying accepting MLAs resignations.

Deputy Chief Minister and State unit BJP President KS Eswarappa said the government was ready to face a no-confidence motion, if Congress moved it.

Eswarappa held talks with top leaders, including Shettar, Anantkumar and RSS leader Santosh on the crisis and ways to overcome it ahead of the budget session which starts on 4 February.

With inputs from PTI