Karnataka LATEST news and updates: Addressing the media, Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa said, "It's time for HD Kumaraswamy to resign. All 105 MLAs will protest tomorrow (Wednesday) by 11 am at the Gandhi Statue in Vidhana Soudha to demand his resignation."
Sources told ANI that Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy has suggested JD(S) MLAs to be at Prestige Golfshire Club in Bengaluru for at least four days. The MLAs were moved to the club on Monday in a bid to keep the flock together. The JD(S) had reportedly booked rooms at a resort in Kodagu, but later changed the venue.
JD(S) accused the BJP of spending Rs 1,000 crore to purchase MLAs in Karnataka, further saying that the amount was almost 10 percent of the annual state budget of Mizoram, Manipur, and Sikkim.
Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said the resignation letters of eight out of 13 MLAs are not in proper format. The Speaker also said that Independent candidates H Nagesh and R Shankar have said they want to support BJP in their resignation letters (from the cabinet).
The interference of the senior members of the HD Deve Gowda family had riled the disgruntled legislators, according to party sources who requested anonymity. No merit, no party loyalty or individual capacity to conduct the functions of the government mattered; rather it was all done on the directions of one family, they have alleged.
Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and BK Hariprasad will go to Bengaluru today, ANI reported.
ST Somashekar who has assumed the leadership of the rebel JD(S) and Congress government has ascertained that they have resigned as the MLA and not from their respective parties. "The people of Karnataka have started to dislike the coalition government in their state as the coalition government was not delivering good administration, the coalition partners are always at loggerheads from the beginning,” he said.
Congress MLA from Shivajinagar Roshan Baig also resigned on Tuesday. Baig's resignation has taken the number of MLAs resigning to 15. Baig had already tweeted on Monday that he would be joining the BJP. He has cited the reason of not being given his due respect in the Congress party. Meanwhile, Congress party sources said that Baig's resignation does not matter as he has already been evicted by the party.
Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar says there is no time-frame to take action on resignations, want to act responsibly. "The clause says if the Speaker is convinced that the resignations are voluntary and genuine he or she can accept otherwise...I don't know, I am not a well-read man," Kumar told reporters after resuming office on Tuesday.
Congress leader DK Shivakumar alleged that BS Yeddyurappa's PA was 'picking up' ministers. On Monday, DK Shivakumar had claimed that Independent MLA Nagesh had contacted him after submitting his resignation to the Speaker and said that he was being held hostage by BS Yeddyurappa and his aides.
Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Tuesday said that no MLA has sought an appointment with him. The Speaker further said that he is nowhere related to the current political developments and acting as per the Constitution. "If anyone wants to meet me, I will be available in my office," he told reporters.
Rebel Congress MLAs who were staying in Mumbai had planned to shift to Pune, later changing it to Goa. But according to the latest reports, they are staying back at an undisclosed location in Mumbai.
Meanwhile on Monday, the Karnataka government — on the brink of collapse after a rebellion from a section of MLAs — took several measures to retain a majority in the state Assembly. While all the ministers from Congress and JD(S) quit "voluntarily" to make room in the cabinet for dissidents, coalition leaders blamed the BJP for indulging in "horse-trading" activities in a bid to topple the HD Kumaraswamy government.
Shortly after Congress ministers decided to resign at a breakfast meeting held at Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara's residence in Bengaluru, the JD(S) representatives, too, followed suit after Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy met leaders of Congress, setting the stage for the reshuffle. The decision was taken after 13 MLAs — ten of the Congress and three of JDS — submitted their resignations from the Assembly membership, plunging the government into a serious crisis.
The crisis deepened on Monday, with two Independent MLAs — H Nagesh and R Shankar — resigning from the ministry and withdrawing their support to the coalition. Incidentally, the two were inducted into the ministry in June after a fresh bout of dissidence to prevent them from siding with the BJP.
The issue also echoed in the Parliament, where the central government denied any role in the political turmoil even as Congress accused it of hatching a conspiracy. In the Lok Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the resignation drive was started by Congress president Rahul Gandhi. "Big leaders of Congress are resigning," he said.
BJP, on its part, demanded immediate resignation of Kumaraswamy, saying his government was in 'minority'. "If at all he has dignity, honour and self-esteem, or if he is aware of Karnataka's culture and traditions, he should immediately resign... Do not try to stick on to the chair. You do not have the numbers," former deputy chief minister R Ashok said.
Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa lashed out at Kumaraswamy for claiming the state government will run smoothly. "Two Independent MLAs met the governor and gave letters that they'll support BJP. Now, we're 107 (MLAs in Assembly). Even when they've lost majority, Kumaraswamy is speaking like that. People are observing everything. Let us see and wait," he said.
The BJP held a legislative party meeting, during which it decided to wait for two more days before deciding on its course of action. "Today's meeting was called to discuss the issues to be taken up in the Assembly session which begins on 12 July. But this government changed our agenda as they've now come in minority. Question is, will this government stay or not? It was discussed to wait for two more days and see if this government resigns or not, and then decide our course of action. We'll hold a legislative party meet again," BJP MLA Arvind Limbavali said.
Despite the Congress-JD(S)' efforts to rope in the disgruntled MLAs, resort politics returned to haunt the Kumaraswamy government, as the dissidents seemed unmoved and stayed put in a Mumbai hotel. Nagesh joined them in the western metropolis while Shankar was on his way there even as Congress leaders kept maintaining that the crisis would blow over and there will be no need for a number crunch.
The Maharashtra BJP claimed it was not aware of the presence of the dissident Congress-JD(S) MLAs from Karnataka even as Maharashtra BJP legislator Prasad Lad was spotted at the hotel where the legislators were put up.
Meanwhile, the JD(S) moved its MLAs to a Taj West End in Bengaluru. While Youth Congress workers staged protests outside the Mumbai hotel, Congress and JD(S) workers hit the streets of Bengaluru against the alleged "horse-trading" attempts by the BJP. Later on Monday, the rebels MLAs in Mumbai boarded a bus to Goa, while the JD(S) legislators in Bengaluru were moved to Prestige Golfshire in Devanahalli.
Amid the crisis, Congress MLA Roshan Baig said he will quit his party and join the BJP. "I'm hurt by the way Congress party treated me," he told ANI. In June, Baig was suspended from the Congress for "anti-party activities" after he criticised senior Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and Dinesh Gundu Rao over poor results in the Lok Sabha election.
Both the Congress and the BJP have decided to hold state-wide protests on Tuesday against each other, over the political situation. While he Congress has decided to hold protests at all the district centres in Karnataka against the "anti-democratic and unconstitutional BJP", the saffron party is planning to hold demonstrations to seek Kumaraswamy's resignation.
Updated Date: Jul 09, 2019 21:29:12 IST
Highlights
Azad, Hariprasad in Bengaluru to handle crisis
Senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and BK Hariprasad have been sent to Bengaluru by the Congress high command. They both are now huddled with Siddaramiah, Parameshwara, Gundu Rao and Venugopal at KK guest house in the city.
Watchers in the Congress camp are waiting with bated breath. Karnataka Congress always had strong leaders, but this time Azad had to be brought in from Delhi to deal with the situation. The second line leaders of the party, privy to the happenings at the guest house, said on conditions of anonymity that, general secretary in-charge of Karnataka KC Venugopal was more accepted than Azad.
To what extent his presence will be to tide over the impasse is a matter of great interest to the party. This exercise might not work as the JD(S) leadership is keeping itself away from the impasse and the HD Kumaraswamy was giving nonchalant statements. HDK and his flock must call a joint meeting of the coalition partners and sort it out threadbare.
By M Rahuram/101Reporters
HDK, Shivakumar hold meeting
As the political turmoil reaches its peak, the two coalition partners are carrying on with their normal routine. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and DK Shivakumar held a meeting of the Board of Directors of Krishna Bhagya, Water Corporation, Kaveri Irrigation Corporation and Karnataka Irrigation Corporation at the chief minister home office, Krishna.
By Sowmya Rani/101Reporters
We were made fold hands in front of people in power: Rebel Congress MLA
“If Siddaramiah and DK Shivakumar threaten us with disqualification, we may have to resign from the party, right now we have only resigned as MLAs, if things do not augur well, we have told Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah that we may even have to resign from the Congress. We are not held by anybody at gunpoint," Yashwanthpura MLA ST Somashekar said.
“All the MLAs of JD(S) and Congress who have been camping in Mumbai have revealed that many MLAs were made to stand with folded hands in front of those people in power, which is humiliating, our voters in our respective constituencies do ask us why not even one developmental work has happened. For example, in Haveri constituency not even one developmental work has been taken up,” Somashekar said.
M Raghuram/101Reporters
Moily sees serious trouble if MLAs don’t return
Ex-MP and former chief minister M Veerappa Moily has said the political situation prevailing in Karnataka is highly volatile “whether or not the Assembly session will be able to be in order on 12 July is a matter of immense intrigue". "If the MLAs who have resigned did not show up on the opening day in the case of the opposition moving no confidence motion, serious problems will surface. The impasse will be deeper just like the case of Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu," he said.
Moily said that the Speaker of the House has many options, one of them is the invoke the provisions of the anti-defection law under Section 164 and its sub-clauses.
M Raghuram/101Reporters
BJP to protest tomorrow to seek Kumaraswamy's resignation
Addressing the media, Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa said, "It's time for HD Kumaraswamy to resign. All 105 MLAs will protest tomorrow (Wednesday) by 11 am at the Gandhi Statue in Vidhana Soudha to demand his resignation."
JD(S) MLAs likely to be at Bengaluru club for at least four days
Sources told ANI that Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy has suggested JD(S) MLAs to be at Prestige Golfshire Club in Bengaluru for at least four days. The MLAs were moved to the club on Monday in a bid to keep the flock together. The JD(S) had reportedly booked rooms at a resort in Kodagu, but later changed the venue.
BJP MLAs fail to meet Speaker at Vidhan Soudha
A few BJP MLAs had gone to Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru to meet the Karnataka Assembly Speaker, but were unable to meet the him. BJP MLA Basavaraj Bommai said, "We had come to meet the Speaker and he is not there. We have got a message that he is not coming today that is why we are leaving."
BJP spending Rs 1,000 crores for purchasing Karnataka MLAs, says JD(S)
JD(S) accused the BJP of spending Rs 1000 crores to purchase MLAs in Karnataka, further saying that the amount was almost 10 percent of the annual state budget of Mizoram, Manipur, and Sikkim.
Amit Shah, Modi brains behind destabilising Karnataka government, says Siddaramaiah
Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah claimed that Amit Shah and "India's disastrous prime minister" Narendra Modi were the brains behind the destabilisation of the Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka. "This is their sixth attempt in Karnataka since last one year. They are a sham to India's democratic political system," he said in a series of tweets.
He further reminded the rebel MLAs about the anti-defection law, saying that "those who resign from the MLA post cannot hold any ministerial berths or chairmans to boards and corporations."
Speaker says resignation letters of 8 Congress-JD(S) MLAs not in proper format
News18 quoted Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar as saying the resignation letters of eight out of 13 MLAs are not in proper format. The Speaker also said that Independent candidates H Nagesh and R Shankar have said they want to support BJP in their resignation letters (from the cabinet).
Interference by HD Deve Gowda and his family and preference to his clan during ticket distribution for Lok Sabha election angered MLAs: Sources
The interference of the senior members of the HD Deve Gowda family had riled the digruntled legislators, according to party sources who requested anonymity. No merit, no party loyalty or individual capacity to conduct the functions of the government mattered; rather it was all done on the directions of one family, they have alleged. This was aggravated during the Lok Sabha elections when some of them who aspired to contest were not given tickets while three tickets were given to the same family which confirmed that there was no internal democracy in the JD(S) party.
According to rebel JD(S) MLAs, "It [JD(S)] has only one goal — to forward the interests of one single family. Which is when the legislators started getting a feeling that they are mere pawns in the party system."
Input by M Raghuram
Interference by HD Deve Gowda and his family and preference to his clan during ticket distribution for Lok Sabha election angered MLAs: Sources
The interference of the senior members of the HD Deve Gowda family had riled the disgruntled legislators, according to party sources who requested anonymity. No merit, no party loyalty or individual capacity to conduct the functions of the government mattered; rather it was all done on the directions of one family, they have alleged. This was aggravated during the Lok Sabha elections when some of them who aspired to contest were not given tickets while three tickets were given to the same family which confirmed that there was no internal democracy in the JD(S) party.
According to rebel JD(S) MLAs, "It [JD(S)] has only one goal — to forward the interests of one single family. Which is when the legislators started getting a feeling that they are mere pawns in the party system."
Input by M Raghuram
Congress to send troubleshooters to K'taka
Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and BK Hariprasad will go to Bengaluru today, ANI reported.
'Future generations should not look at me like an accused,' says Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar
Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar has claimed that every step he takes will become history and therefore he has to make a "conscious decision". “Every step I take will become history, so I can’t be committing a mistake. Future generations should not look at me like an accused," Kumar told the media in Karnataka.
'We have lost face in our constituencies due to internal clashes', rebel MLAs speak to media
The 15 MLAs who are holed up in Mumbai have jointly said that the coalition government does not augur well with the democratic values. "We have resigned as MLAs as our people in our constituencies have started questioning us, we have no face to go to our constituencies. Due to internal clashes in the coalition government, developmental work has not been going on and this has pained us" said KR Puram MLA Byrathi Basavaraj.
Input by M Raghuram
'No work was being done in the state,' alleges JD(S) MLA Narayan Gowda
JD(S) leader Narayan Gowda said that the MLAs have resigned due to lack of development in the state. Karnataka chief minister travelled abroad without consultation with MLAs, no work was being done in the state, he alleged.
'We have not resigned from the party membership,' rebel MLAs
ST Somashekar who has assumed the leadership of the rebel JD(S) and Congress government has ascertained that they have resigned as the MLA and not from their respective parties. "The people of Karnataka have started to dislike the coalition government in their state as the coalition government was not delivering good administration, the coalition partners are always at loggerheads from the beginning,” he said.
Somashekar and Narayana Gowda of JD(S) told the media that they do not care about the Siddaramiah's threat that they will be targeted and disqualified if they did not return and withdrew their resignations.
Input by M Raghuram
BJP offering 'money, position, ministership' to MLAs, claims Siddramaiah
This time not only state BJP wing but also national level leaders like Amit Shah and Narendra Modi are involved. On their direction, efforts have been put to destabilise the government. It's against democracy and people's mandate. They're offering money, position, ministership, Siddramaiah alleged.
Congress urges Speaker to disqualify rebel MPs and bar them from contesting elections for six years
"Karnataka Congress is seeking disqualification of members for their anti-party activity. They colluded with BJP. I request them to come back and withdraw their resignation. We've decided to file a petition before the Speaker to disqualify them and request him to not accept the resignation. We are also requesting the Speaker to take legal action under the anti defection law. We are requesting him in our letter to not only disqualify them but also bar them from contesting election for six years," Siddaramaiah said in the press conference.
Congress MLA Roshan Baig resigns
Congress MLA from Shivajinagar Roshan Baig also resigned on Tuesday. He submitted his resignation letter to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar. In his brief appearance at Vidhana Soudha Baig exchanged salutations with Ramesh Kumar and handed over the resignation to him and left. Baig's resignation has taken the number of MLAs resigning to 15. Baig had already tweeted on Monday that he would be joining the BJP. He has cited the reason of not being given his due respect in the Congress party.
Meanwhile, Congress party sources said that Baig's resignation does not matter as he has already been evicted by the party. Baig's name had surfaced many times during the IMA multi-crore rupees ponzi scam.
Input by M Raghuram
Those who don't return will be disqualified as it amounts to defection, says Siddaramaiah
"This government is elected according to the provisions of the Constitution. Some of our MLAs fell into BJP’s trap. The law clearly says that whoever resigns from any political party, after being elected on that party's symbol, will be disqualified as it amounts to defection. Once disqualified, the person is not eligible to hold any office," Siddaramaiah said.
'Narendra Modi, Amit Shah directly involved in destabilising K'taka govt': Siddaramaiah
Congress leader Siddaramaiah briefed the media after the legislative party meeting on Tuesday. Siddaramaiah said that Amit Shah and Narendra Modi are directly involved in destabilising the Karnataka coalition government. "This is against democracy and democratic system of government. This is against the mandate of the people. They (BJP) are offering money, positions, ministership. We all know, that on earlier occasions, they offered money. Where did this money come from? Who has given the money to them?" he asked.
"Our 21 ministers resigned yesterday, including the deputy chief minister. We had decided to reshuffle the Cabinet after 20 months. Some seniors could not be accommodated in the first set. To accommodate them, the ministers have voluntarily resigned," the former chief minister said explaining the party's move.
Come to Bangalore or face disqualification: Siddaramaiah tells rebel MLAs
Chairman of the Co-ordination Committee of the coalition government S Siddaramiah reiterated the intention of the Congress party to press for enactment of the provisions of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution and the article 164(1) and 164 (1a). “Since there was a mass resignation, it cannot be voluntary, and it was coerced. We are sure that they have resigned under duress and allurement, so all these MLAs who have resigned must come back to Bangalore, withdraw the resignation or else we will move the law to disqualify them and bar them from contesting elections for six years,” Siddaramaiah added.
input by M Raghuram
10 Congress MLAs skip CLP meeting
As many as 10 Congress MLAs did not attended the Congress Legislative Party meeting at Vidhan Soudha on Tuesday, News18 reported. Congress MLAs who skipped the meeting include Ramalinga Reddy, DR Sudhakar, Roshan Baig, Tukaram, Anjali Nimbalkar, MTB Nataraj, Sangameshwar, Shivanna, Fathima, B Nagendra, Raje Gowda and Ramappa. MTB Nataraj, Tukaram and DR Sudhakar cited health reasons for absence.
A whip was issued on Monday ordering all MLAs to attend the meet.
Congress workers protest in Tumakuru
Congress workers protest against BJP at Tumakuru’s Badramma Circle. They blocked the road and shouted slogans against BJP condemning the saffron party's activities to weaken the state government. District Congress president Ramakrishna lead the protest.
Input by Chandra Mouli
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm because of Ruckus over Karnataka crisis
Congress sends legal team to Speaker, appeals to disqualify 13 MLAs
Congress' legal consul Shashikanth Shetty sent his colleagues to meet the Speaker with an appeal to disqualify the 13 MLAs under anti-defection law. The speaker had summoned the Law Secretary to find out the relevant sections.
Input by M Raghuram
Speaker wants to meet MLAs
Speaker Ramesh Kumar has hinted that he will take note of the resignations only when they are presented by hand in presence of the MLAs. He also has stated that before handing over the resignation letters, the MLAs should have met him and explained to him why he wanted to resign. “ I have discretionary powers to counsel them and if nothing had worked, I would have accepted the resignations,” he added.
Input by M Raghuram
Speaker may take legal advice to verify validity of resignations
Speaker Ramesh Kumar resumed office after a hiatus of five days on Tuesday. He has been presented with the resignation letters by his secretary. However, the question before him is if the resignation letters that are not hand delivered to him are valid or not? He might call on the state legal experts soon before arriving at a decision, sources said.
Input by M Raghuram
14 MLAs shifted from Mumbai to Goa by special flight: Reports
Fourteen MLAs of the ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition in Karnataka, who left Mumbai on Monday evening for Goa, were taken to Pune and are expected to reach the coastal state on Tuesday in a special flight, PTI reported. The MLAs, 10 of the Congress, two of the JD (S) and two Independents were to travel to Goa by road, accompanied by Mumbai BJP Yuva Morcha president Mohit Bhartiya, the report said.
'BS Yeddyurappa's PA is picking up our ministers,' alleges DK Shivakumar
On Monday, DK Shivakumar had claimed that Independent MLA Nagesh had contacted him after submitting his resignation to the Speaker and said that he was being held hostage by BS Yeddyurappa and his aides.
Confident that govt will survive: Dinesh Gundu Rao
Karnataka Congress President Dinesh Gundu Rao told ANI that he is confident that the Congress-JD(S) government will survive and stay.
'No MLA has sought an appointment with me', says Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar
The Speaker further said that he is nowhere related to the current political developments and acting as per the Constitution. "If anyone wants to meet me, I will be available in my office," he told reporters.
Adjournment motion in Rajya Sabha over Karnataka crisis
Congress MP BK Hariprasad gave Adjournment Motion Notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267 on current political situation in Karnataka
'Haven't spoken to rebel MLAs so far': Speaker KR Ramesh Kuma
Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar told News18 that he has not spoken to the rebel MLAs so far and that he will act according to the law going forward.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury gives adjournment motion in Lok Sabha over K'taka crisis
Congress MPs Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and K Suresh give adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha over political situation in Karnataka.
Congress MLAs to stay at an undisclosed location in Mumbai
Congress MLAs were are staying in Mumbai's Sofitel Hotel had planned to shift to Pune, later deciding to go to Goa. However, as per latest reports, they are staying back at an undisclosed location in Mumbai.
Congress leader DK Shivakumar had gone to Mumbai on Monday to urge the MLAs to take back their resignation and return to Karnataka.
Suspended Congress MLA Roshan Baig also threatens to quit and join BJP
Apart from several disgruntled MLAs, another Congress legislator and suspended member of the party Roshan Baig on Monday said that he has been treated badly in the party and therefore he want to resign and consider joining the BJP. "The state leadership has failed, there is no accountability," the minister said adding that he was in touch with BJP leaders.
Cong-JD(S) alliance has lost majority but CM still assuring of running a 'smooth govt': BS Yedyurappa
After HD Kumaraswamy told the media that Karnataka government will "run smoothly", BS Yeddyurappa hit out at the chief minister and said, "Two Independent MLAs met the Governor and gave a letter that they'll support BJP, now we're 105 + 2 = 107. Even when they've lost majority Kumaraswamy is speaking like that, people are observing everything. Let us see and wait."
Congress holds meeting to decide on legal action against rebel MLAs
Congress leaders KC Venugopal, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Siddaramaiah, G Parameshwara, MB Patil and Eshwara Khandre held meeting at an undisclosed location, with legal advisers to discuss about the further action against the MLAs who have resigned.
LIVE NEWS and UPDATES
21:29 (IST)
Azad, Hariprasad in Bengaluru to handle crisis
Senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and BK Hariprasad have been sent to Bengaluru by the Congress high command. They both are now huddled with Siddaramiah, Parameshwara, Gundu Rao and Venugopal at KK guest house in the city.
Watchers in the Congress camp are waiting with bated breath. Karnataka Congress always had strong leaders, but this time Azad had to be brought in from Delhi to deal with the situation. The second line leaders of the party, privy to the happenings at the guest house, said on conditions of anonymity that, general secretary in-charge of Karnataka KC Venugopal was more accepted than Azad.
To what extent his presence will be to tide over the impasse is a matter of great interest to the party. This exercise might not work as the JD(S) leadership is keeping itself away from the impasse and the HD Kumaraswamy was giving nonchalant statements. HDK and his flock must call a joint meeting of the coalition partners and sort it out threadbare.
By M Rahuram/101Reporters
19:51 (IST)
HDK, Shivakumar hold meeting
As the political turmoil reaches its peak, the two coalition partners are carrying on with their normal routine. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and DK Shivakumar held a meeting of the Board of Directors of Krishna Bhagya, Water Corporation, Kaveri Irrigation Corporation and Karnataka Irrigation Corporation at the chief minister home office, Krishna.
By Sowmya Rani/101Reporters
19:49 (IST)
We were made fold hands in front of people in power: Rebel Congress MLA
“If Siddaramiah and DK Shivakumar threaten us with disqualification, we may have to resign from the party, right now we have only resigned as MLAs, if things do not augur well, we have told Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah that we may even have to resign from the Congress. We are not held by anybody at gunpoint," Yashwanthpura MLA ST Somashekar said.
“All the MLAs of JD(S) and Congress who have been camping in Mumbai have revealed that many MLAs were made to stand with folded hands in front of those people in power, which is humiliating, our voters in our respective constituencies do ask us why not even one developmental work has happened. For example, in Haveri constituency not even one developmental work has been taken up,” Somashekar said.
M Raghuram/101Reporters
19:47 (IST)
Moily sees serious trouble if MLAs don’t return
Ex-MP and former chief minister M Veerappa Moily has said the political situation prevailing in Karnataka is highly volatile “whether or not the Assembly session will be able to be in order on 12 July is a matter of immense intrigue". "If the MLAs who have resigned did not show up on the opening day in the case of the opposition moving no confidence motion, serious problems will surface. The impasse will be deeper just like the case of Jayalalithaa in Tamil Nadu," he said.
Moily said that the Speaker of the House has many options, one of them is the invoke the provisions of the anti-defection law under Section 164 and its sub-clauses.
M Raghuram/101Reporters
18:29 (IST)
17:37 (IST)
BJP to protest tomorrow to seek Kumaraswamy's resignation
Addressing the media, Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa said, "It's time for HD Kumaraswamy to resign. All 105 MLAs will protest tomorrow (Wednesday) by 11 am at the Gandhi Statue in Vidhana Soudha to demand his resignation."
17:32 (IST)
Visuals from Vidhana Soudha, where BJP MLAs had earlier come to meet Speaker
17:21 (IST)
JD(S) MLAs likely to be at Bengaluru club for at least four days
Sources told ANI that Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy has suggested JD(S) MLAs to be at Prestige Golfshire Club in Bengaluru for at least four days. The MLAs were moved to the club on Monday in a bid to keep the flock together. The JD(S) had reportedly booked rooms at a resort in Kodagu, but later changed the venue.
16:59 (IST)
BJP MLAs fail to meet Speaker at Vidhan Soudha
A few BJP MLAs had gone to Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru to meet the Karnataka Assembly Speaker, but were unable to meet the him. BJP MLA Basavaraj Bommai said, "We had come to meet the Speaker and he is not there. We have got a message that he is not coming today that is why we are leaving."
16:40 (IST)
16:05 (IST)
BJP spending Rs 1,000 crores for purchasing Karnataka MLAs, says JD(S)
JD(S) accused the BJP of spending Rs 1000 crores to purchase MLAs in Karnataka, further saying that the amount was almost 10 percent of the annual state budget of Mizoram, Manipur, and Sikkim.
15:46 (IST)
Amit Shah, Modi brains behind destabilising Karnataka government, says Siddaramaiah
Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah claimed that Amit Shah and "India's disastrous prime minister" Narendra Modi were the brains behind the destabilisation of the Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka. "This is their sixth attempt in Karnataka since last one year. They are a sham to India's democratic political system," he said in a series of tweets.
He further reminded the rebel MLAs about the anti-defection law, saying that "those who resign from the MLA post cannot hold any ministerial berths or chairmans to boards and corporations."
15:30 (IST)
Speaker says resignation letters of 8 Congress-JD(S) MLAs not in proper format
News18 quoted Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar as saying the resignation letters of eight out of 13 MLAs are not in proper format. The Speaker also said that Independent candidates H Nagesh and R Shankar have said they want to support BJP in their resignation letters (from the cabinet).
15:17 (IST)
Interference by HD Deve Gowda and his family and preference to his clan during ticket distribution for Lok Sabha election angered MLAs: Sources
The interference of the senior members of the HD Deve Gowda family had riled the digruntled legislators, according to party sources who requested anonymity. No merit, no party loyalty or individual capacity to conduct the functions of the government mattered; rather it was all done on the directions of one family, they have alleged. This was aggravated during the Lok Sabha elections when some of them who aspired to contest were not given tickets while three tickets were given to the same family which confirmed that there was no internal democracy in the JD(S) party.
According to rebel JD(S) MLAs, "It [JD(S)] has only one goal — to forward the interests of one single family. Which is when the legislators started getting a feeling that they are mere pawns in the party system."
Input by M Raghuram
14:59 (IST)
Interference by HD Deve Gowda and his family and preference to his clan during ticket distribution for Lok Sabha election angered MLAs: Sources
The interference of the senior members of the HD Deve Gowda family had riled the disgruntled legislators, according to party sources who requested anonymity. No merit, no party loyalty or individual capacity to conduct the functions of the government mattered; rather it was all done on the directions of one family, they have alleged. This was aggravated during the Lok Sabha elections when some of them who aspired to contest were not given tickets while three tickets were given to the same family which confirmed that there was no internal democracy in the JD(S) party.
According to rebel JD(S) MLAs, "It [JD(S)] has only one goal — to forward the interests of one single family. Which is when the legislators started getting a feeling that they are mere pawns in the party system."
Input by M Raghuram
14:54 (IST)
'Eight out of 13 resignations not valid, will speak to MLAs': Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar
"Out of 13 resignations, eight are not according to law. I have given them time to present themselves before me," Speaker KR Ramesh told the media in Karnataka.
14:53 (IST)
We are not involved in Karnataka's political crisis, says Sadanand Gowda
Gowda said that BJP is not behind the resignation of Congress and JD(S) MLAs and that two parties don't have faith in their own ministers.
14:50 (IST)
BJP workers protest in Dharwad
BJP workers in Dharwad staged a protest demanding the resignation of HD Kumaraswamy and formation of BJP govt in the state.
14:26 (IST)
Kumaraswamy meets locked-up JD(S) MLAs
The JD(S) MLAs are holed up in Prestige Golfshire Club, Nandi Hills road in Devanahalli, Kanataka.
13:45 (IST)
Watch: Congress workers protest in Bengaluru
Congress workers protest against BJP at Mysore Bank Circle in Bangaluru.
Video courtesy: Soumya Rani
13:40 (IST)
Congress to send troubleshooters to K'taka
Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and BK Hariprasad will go to Bengaluru today, ANI reported.
13:39 (IST)
'Future generations should not look at me like an accused,' says Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar
Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar has claimed that every step he takes will become history and therefore he has to make a "conscious decision". “Every step I take will become history, so I can’t be committing a mistake. Future generations should not look at me like an accused," Kumar told the media in Karnataka.
13:28 (IST)
'We have lost face in our constituencies due to internal clashes', rebel MLAs speak to media
The 15 MLAs who are holed up in Mumbai have jointly said that the coalition government does not augur well with the democratic values. "We have resigned as MLAs as our people in our constituencies have started questioning us, we have no face to go to our constituencies. Due to internal clashes in the coalition government, developmental work has not been going on and this has pained us" said KR Puram MLA Byrathi Basavaraj.
Input by M Raghuram
13:26 (IST)
'No work was being done in the state,' alleges JD(S) MLA Narayan Gowda
JD(S) leader Narayan Gowda said that the MLAs have resigned due to lack of development in the state. Karnataka chief minister travelled abroad without consultation with MLAs, no work was being done in the state, he alleged.
13:21 (IST)
'We're not expecting any ministerial post': Rebel MLAs
Somashekhar said that the rebel MLAs are not expecting any ministerial post and they have resigned as they no longer want to be part of a coalition government. "People of Karnataka don't like 'Maitri' govt," he said.
13:19 (IST)
'We have not resigned from the party membership,' rebel MLAs
ST Somashekar who has assumed the leadership of the rebel JD(S) and Congress government has ascertained that they have resigned as the MLA and not from their respective parties. "The people of Karnataka have started to dislike the coalition government in their state as the coalition government was not delivering good administration, the coalition partners are always at loggerheads from the beginning,” he said.
Somashekar and Narayana Gowda of JD(S) told the media that they do not care about the Siddaramiah's threat that they will be targeted and disqualified if they did not return and withdrew their resignations.
Input by M Raghuram
13:13 (IST)
Youth Congress members protests in Delhi
Apart from Karnataka and Mumbai, Youth Congress members also protested in Delhi on Tuesday.
13:11 (IST)
Congress leaders protest outside Vidhan Soudha
Several KPCC leaders, including K C Venugopal, Siddaramaiah and Priyank Kharge protested against the war on democracy in front of the Gandhi statue in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru. Earlier on Tuesday Congress workers had protested in various districts of Karnataka including Tumakuru.
13:09 (IST)
BJP workers protest in Madikeri
BJP workers under the leadership of district unit BJP president BB Bharatish staged a protest at General Thimmaiah Circle in Madikeri against the state government. Addressing the gathering, Bharatish said that BJP has no role in resignation of legislators. The coalition government is accusing BJP, but legislators resigned due to their indifference with their leadership. He urged HD Kumaraswamy to resign immediately taking moral responsibility.
Input by Coovercolly Indresh
13:05 (IST)
BJP offering 'money, position, ministership' to MLAs, claims Siddramaiah
This time not only state BJP wing but also national level leaders like Amit Shah and Narendra Modi are involved. On their direction, efforts have been put to destabilise the government. It's against democracy and people's mandate. They're offering money, position, ministership, Siddramaiah alleged.
13:01 (IST)
Congress urges Speaker to disqualify rebel MPs and bar them from contesting elections for six years
"Karnataka Congress is seeking disqualification of members for their anti-party activity. They colluded with BJP. I request them to come back and withdraw their resignation. We've decided to file a petition before the Speaker to disqualify them and request him to not accept the resignation. We are also requesting the Speaker to take legal action under the anti defection law. We are requesting him in our letter to not only disqualify them but also bar them from contesting election for six years," Siddaramaiah said in the press conference.
12:50 (IST)
BJP workers protests across Karnataka
BJP workers protested against the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Mysuru and Tumakuru in Karnataka.
Image courtesy: Shivaranjini
12:47 (IST)
Congress MLA Roshan Baig resigns
Congress MLA from Shivajinagar Roshan Baig also resigned on Tuesday. He submitted his resignation letter to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar. In his brief appearance at Vidhana Soudha Baig exchanged salutations with Ramesh Kumar and handed over the resignation to him and left. Baig's resignation has taken the number of MLAs resigning to 15. Baig had already tweeted on Monday that he would be joining the BJP. He has cited the reason of not being given his due respect in the Congress party.
Meanwhile, Congress party sources said that Baig's resignation does not matter as he has already been evicted by the party. Baig's name had surfaced many times during the IMA multi-crore rupees ponzi scam.
Input by M Raghuram
12:45 (IST)
Rajnath Singh blames Congress for disturbing Parliament proceedings over K'taka issue, calls it 'unke apne ghar ka maamla'
On Monday, Rajnath Singh had told Lok Sabha that BJP was in no way involved in the political development in Karnataka and that Congress was unnecessarily blaming the saffron party for their own mess.
12:42 (IST)
Those who don't return will be disqualified as it amounts to defection, says Siddaramaiah
"This government is elected according to the provisions of the Constitution. Some of our MLAs fell into BJP’s trap. The law clearly says that whoever resigns from any political party, after being elected on that party's symbol, will be disqualified as it amounts to defection. Once disqualified, the person is not eligible to hold any office," Siddaramaiah said.
12:39 (IST)
'Narendra Modi, Amit Shah directly involved in destabilising K'taka govt': Siddaramaiah
Congress leader Siddaramaiah briefed the media after the legislative party meeting on Tuesday. Siddaramaiah said that Amit Shah and Narendra Modi are directly involved in destabilising the Karnataka coalition government. "This is against democracy and democratic system of government. This is against the mandate of the people. They (BJP) are offering money, positions, ministership. We all know, that on earlier occasions, they offered money. Where did this money come from? Who has given the money to them?" he asked.
"Our 21 ministers resigned yesterday, including the deputy chief minister. We had decided to reshuffle the Cabinet after 20 months. Some seniors could not be accommodated in the first set. To accommodate them, the ministers have voluntarily resigned," the former chief minister said explaining the party's move.
12:34 (IST)
Come to Bangalore or face disqualification: Siddaramaiah tells rebel MLAs
Chairman of the Co-ordination Committee of the coalition government S Siddaramiah reiterated the intention of the Congress party to press for enactment of the provisions of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution and the article 164(1) and 164 (1a). “Since there was a mass resignation, it cannot be voluntary, and it was coerced. We are sure that they have resigned under duress and allurement, so all these MLAs who have resigned must come back to Bangalore, withdraw the resignation or else we will move the law to disqualify them and bar them from contesting elections for six years,” Siddaramaiah added.
input by M Raghuram
12:33 (IST)
Congress MPs stage walkout in LS over Karnataka crisis
Congress MPs in Lok Sabha staged a walkout in protest against the political situation in Karnataka.
12:32 (IST)
'Poaching should be stopped forever': Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in Lok Sabha
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had also raised an adjournment motion in the Parliament against the current political crisis in Karnataka.
12:31 (IST)
Congress workers also protest in Kalaburagi
Protesting against the current political situation in the state, Congress workers held a protest march in Kalaburagi.
12:21 (IST)
10 Congress MLAs skip CLP meeting
As many as 10 Congress MLAs did not attended the Congress Legislative Party meeting at Vidhan Soudha on Tuesday, News18 reported. Congress MLAs who skipped the meeting include Ramalinga Reddy, DR Sudhakar, Roshan Baig, Tukaram, Anjali Nimbalkar, MTB Nataraj, Sangameshwar, Shivanna, Fathima, B Nagendra, Raje Gowda and Ramappa. MTB Nataraj, Tukaram and DR Sudhakar cited health reasons for absence.
A whip was issued on Monday ordering all MLAs to attend the meet.
12:18 (IST)
Congress workers protest in Tumakuru
Congress workers protest against BJP at Tumakuru’s Badramma Circle. They blocked the road and shouted slogans against BJP condemning the saffron party's activities to weaken the state government. District Congress president Ramakrishna lead the protest.
Input by Chandra Mouli
12:16 (IST)
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2 pm because of Ruckus over Karnataka crisis
12:10 (IST)
BJP workers protest in Kodagu
BJP workers under the leadership of Virajpet taluk unit BJP president Kunhanda Arun Bheemaiah staged a protest against the Congress-JD(S) coalition government. Addressing gathering Arun Bheemaiah alleged that the coalition government has lost majority and it is inevitable for Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to resign.
Input by Indresh
12:04 (IST)
Congress sends legal team to Speaker, appeals to disqualify 13 MLAs
Congress' legal consul Shashikanth Shetty sent his colleagues to meet the Speaker with an appeal to disqualify the 13 MLAs under anti-defection law. The speaker had summoned the Law Secretary to find out the relevant sections.
Input by M Raghuram
12:00 (IST)
Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar says there is no time-frame to take action on resignations, want to act responsibly
"The clause says if the Speaker is convinced that the resignations are voluntary and genuine he or she can accept otherwise...I don't know, I am not a well-read man," Kumar told reporters after resuming office on Tuesday.
11:57 (IST)
Youth Congress workers protest in Bengaluru
Earlier on Monday, Maharashtra Youth Congress workers had protested outside the Sofitel hotel in Mumbai.
11:48 (IST)
Speaker wants to meet MLAs
Speaker Ramesh Kumar has hinted that he will take note of the resignations only when they are presented by hand in presence of the MLAs. He also has stated that before handing over the resignation letters, the MLAs should have met him and explained to him why he wanted to resign. “ I have discretionary powers to counsel them and if nothing had worked, I would have accepted the resignations,” he added.
Input by M Raghuram
11:34 (IST)
Speaker may take legal advice to verify validity of resignations
Speaker Ramesh Kumar resumed office after a hiatus of five days on Tuesday. He has been presented with the resignation letters by his secretary. However, the question before him is if the resignation letters that are not hand delivered to him are valid or not? He might call on the state legal experts soon before arriving at a decision, sources said.
Input by M Raghuram
11:11 (IST)
14 MLAs shifted from Mumbai to Goa by special flight: Reports
Fourteen MLAs of the ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition in Karnataka, who left Mumbai on Monday evening for Goa, were taken to Pune and are expected to reach the coastal state on Tuesday in a special flight, PTI reported. The MLAs, 10 of the Congress, two of the JD (S) and two Independents were to travel to Goa by road, accompanied by Mumbai BJP Yuva Morcha president Mohit Bhartiya, the report said.