Karnataka news and updates: All BJP MLAs to protest outside Assembly tomorrow demanding Kumaraswamy's resignation

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

Azad, Hariprasad rush to Bengaluru as Karnataka crisis deepens

As the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka plunges into more trouble, the Congress on Tuesday rushed senior leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and BK Hariprasad to Bengaluru to solve the differences.

Sources said UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi asked the leaders to mitigate the crisis in the southern state and save the government. Azad was the one who along with Ashok Gehlot stitched together the coalition government in Karnataka in 2018. 

PTI

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.”

Visuals from Vidhana Soudha, where BJP MLAs had earlier come to meet Speaker

Bengaluru: BJP MLAs went to Karnataka Assembly Speaker's office and left without meeting the Speaker, KR Ramesh Kumar, as he was not there. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/8LyGftFFZA

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

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 MLA Basavaraj Bommai who went to Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru to meet the Karnataka Assembly Speaker along with other BJP MLAs: 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. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/jtICGMgLWi

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

BJP resorting to politics of poaching in Karnataka: Congress in Lok Sabha

The Congress on Tuesday staged a walkout in Lok Sabha after accusing the BJP of indulging in “politics of poaching” in Karnataka, a charge denied by the ruling party at the Centre.

The Congress tried to raise the issue in Lok Sabha​ during the Zero Hour, but was disallowed by Speaker Om Birla, who said the matter was discussed in the House on Monday with a response from Deputy Leader of House Rajnath Singh.

Birla said the Congress had given an adjournment motion to discuss the Karnataka issue, which he has disallowed.

With the Speaker refusing to relent, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha, said the BJP was targeting the Karnataka government, which is on a brink of collapse after the Congress, JD(S) and some independent MLAs tendered their resignations.

Hitting back, Singh said the Karnataka issue was an internal matter of the Congress.

PTI

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.

BJP is spending 1000 Crores for purchasing MLAs in Karnataka. You read it right, "1000 Crore Rupees Only".

Almost 10% of annual state budget of Mizoram, Manipur & Sikkim!

How & where did Modi, Shah get this money from? 'Corruption-free rule' is only on books & reality is this! pic.twitter.com/3qSrlJ85ae

— Janata Dal Secular (@JanataDal_S) July 9, 2019

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.”

Some of our MLAs have fallen into the trap of @BJP4Karnataka & I am not sure whether they are aware of the anti-defection law. The laws are clear that those who resign from the MLA post cannot hold any ministerial berths or chairmans to boards and corporations.

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 9, 2019

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

‘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.

Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar:Have written to Governor that none of the rebel MLAs have met me. He has expressed confidence that I'll uphold constitutional norms. Out of 13 resignations, 8 are not according to law. I've given them time to present themselves before me pic.twitter.com/KSNInlGwBX

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

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.

Union Minister & BJP leader DV Sadananda Gowda on current political situation in #Karnataka: In the initial stage we tried once but afterwards we kept quiet. Congress & JDS MLAs don't have faith in their own leaders & government. We are not behind any MLAs from Congress or JDS. pic.twitter.com/X8cMStzZ3x

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

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.

#Karnataka: BJP workers in Dharwad stage protest demanding the resignation of CM HD Kumaraswamy and formation of BJP govt in the state. pic.twitter.com/rkhiGzyVBf

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

Kumaraswamy meets locked-up JD(S) MLAs

The JD(S) MLAs are holed up in Prestige Golfshire Club, Nandi Hills road in Devanahalli, Kanataka.

#Karnataka: CM HD Kumaraswamy reaches Prestige Golfshire Club, Nandi hills road in Devanahalli, where Janata Dal (Secular) MLAs are staying. pic.twitter.com/IBxc0ycI2v

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

Watch: Congress workers protest in Bengaluru

Congress workers protest against BJP at Mysore Bank Circle in Bangaluru.

Video courtesy: Soumya Rani

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.

JDS leader Narayan Gowda, in Mumbai: We've resigned from MLA post due to lack of development in the state. Karnataka CM travelled abroad without consultation with MLAs, no work was progressing in the state. We will stay here for 2 days and then we will return. pic.twitter.com/oV3zGhNkpa

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

‘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.

Congress leader ST Somashekhar in Mumbai: Total 10 MLAs (Congress-JDS) have submitted their resignation to Speaker&Karnataka Governor. We are still in Congress party but resigned from MLA post.We're not expecting any minister post. People of Karnataka don't like 'Maitri' govt'. pic.twitter.com/ncpiZ5VSYI

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

‘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

Youth Congress members protests in Delhi

Apart from Karnataka and Mumbai, Youth Congress members also protested in Delhi on Tuesday.

Delhi: Members of Youth Congress stage protest over the political situation in #Karnataka . pic.twitter.com/FfmcIOiwVV

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

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.

Bengaluru: Congress leaders hold protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi statute in Vidhana Soudha. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/JsLCTDZr24

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

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

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.

Siddaramaiah, Congress: It has been a habit of BJP to destabilise the govt. This is undemocratic, people haven't given mandate to BJP to form the govt. People have given more votes to us. Both JD(S) and Congress together got more than 57% of votes. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/2IZTsP5nXS

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

BJP workers protests across Karnataka

BJP workers protested against the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Mysuru and Tumakuru in Karnataka.

Image courtesy: Shivaranjini

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

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. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha: Karnataka mein jo kuch ho raha hai yeh Congress ke apne ghar ka mamla hai, par yeh apne ghar ko sambhal nahi pa rahe hain, balki Parliament ke is Lower House ko yeh disturb karne ki koshish kar rahe hain pic.twitter.com/3yWhIsY558

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

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

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.

The Congress MPs in Lok Sabha walkout of the House in protest against the political situation in #Karnataka. pic.twitter.com/8wJuuTjxiq

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

‘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.

Lok Sabha: Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury speaking on current political situation in Karnataka, says, "Poaching politics should be stopped forever." pic.twitter.com/xHrChfUG9D

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

Congress workers also protest in Kalaburagi 

Protesting against the current political situation in the state, Congress workers held a protest march in Kalaburagi.

Karnataka: Members of Congress hold a protest march in Kalaburagi over the political situation in the state. pic.twitter.com/W0KyfntuRH

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

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

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

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 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.

Karnataka Assembly Speaker, KR Ramesh Kumar on resignation of Karnataka MLAs: The clause says if the Speaker is convinced that the resignations are voluntary & genuine he can accept otherwise...I don't know, I am not a well-read man. I have to see... #Karnataka https://t.co/KXxHkUsfYf

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

Youth Congress workers protest in Bengaluru

Earlier on Monday, Maharashtra Youth Congress workers had protested outside the Sofitel hotel in Mumbai.

Bengaluru: Youth Congress workers march from Cubbon Park to Raj Bhawan. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/5PICKIYzhG

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

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.

‘Congress’ nature is to allege anybody for their failure,’ says Pralhad Joshi 

Union minister Pralhad Joshi had on Monday alleged that former chief minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah is responsible for the present political crisis in the state.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on current political situation in #Karnataka: It has become their (Congress) nature to allege anybody for their failure. Their MLAs have submitted their resignations to the Governor. We are monitoring the situation and will decide accordingly. pic.twitter.com/WAEMkAgiCN

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

Congress leader MTB Nagaraj skips CLP meeting citing ill health

Congress had asked all its MLAs on Sunday to be compulsorily present for the legislative party meeting in Vidhan Soudha on Tuesday.

Congress leader MTB Nagaraj is not attending the Congress CLP meeting today due to ill health. pic.twitter.com/8uFfYPzWSJ

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

‘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.

DK Shivakumar, Congress: Mr Rajnath Singh is telling that 'we are nowhere bothered, we are not interested, we don't know about this' (political situation in Karnataka). BS Yeddyurappa is also saying the same, but he is sending his PA to pick up all our Ministers. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/WEhaap5Lrx

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

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.

Karnataka Assembly Speaker, KR Ramesh Kumar: I am nowhere related to the current political developments. I am acting as per the Constitution. Till now, no MLA has has sought an appointment with me. If anyone wants to meet me, I will be available in my office. pic.twitter.com/CgB98duM00

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

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

Congress CLP meeting underway at Vidhan Soudha 

All top leaders of the party including former chief minister Siddaramaiah are present at the compulsory meeting of legislative party members.

Karnataka: Congress's CLP meeting underway at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/PfzGq0YYFx

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

‘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.

Speaker should call BJP to form govt, we are in majority, says BJP’s Shobha Karandlaje

Earlier, BS Yeddyurappa had said that BJP has support of 107 MLAs and therefore currently stands in the Karnataka government.

Shobha Karandlaje, BJP: Now our strength is more than Congress-JD(S) MLAs. We are almost 107, they have fallen to 103. I think Governor can take the decision to call BJP to form the govt. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/2ySJk32M8n

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

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 leaders arrive for compulsory CLP meeting

The party had asked all its MLAs and leaders to be compulsorily present at the legislative party meeting called by Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on Tuesday. 

Karnataka: Siddaramaiah, Priyank Kharge and other Congress leaders arrive for Congress Legislative Party meeting at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/iLkjccXWQk

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

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. 

Roshan Baig on being asked if he will join Bharatiya Janata Party: Kyun nahi! Main imaan nahi badal raha. BJP is also a political party, us mein kya buri baat hai. #Karnataka https://t.co/3aQhpYhzEB

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019

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.”

BJP leaders meet at BS Yeddyurappa’s residence

Meanwhile, senior Karnataka BJP leaders met at former cheif minister BS Yeddyurappa’s residence on Monday evening to discuss party’s course of action in light of the ongoing political crisis in the state.

Bengaluru: BJP leaders Murugesh Nirani, Umesh Katti, JC Madhuswamy and K Ratna Prabha arrive at BS Yeddyurappa's residence. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/Ap8Yt0KZim

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019

Maharashtra Youth Congress members protest outside Sofitel Hotel in Mumbai

The protesters demanded that all the rebel Karnataka Congress MLAs should take back their resignation in the wake of the political crisis in the state.

Maharashtra: Youth Congress workers protest outside Sofitel hotel in Mumbai where rebel Karnataka MLAs are staying. pic.twitter.com/RW5ukOdhHv

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019

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.