Karnataka news LATEST updates: Claiming that no development took place in Karnataka under the Congress-JD(S) government, BJP MLA Arvind Limbavali said,“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.” Independent MLA R Shankar resigned from the Karnataka cabinet. Meanwhile, the rebel MLAs staying at Sofitel Hotel in Mumbai are leaving for Goa. This comes at a time when Congress leader DK Shivakumar is on his way to Mumbai to get in touch with the legislators. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and others will meet at 7 pm in Bengaluru. State BJP chief BS Yedyurappa said, “Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has lost the mandate as he has no MLAs, no ministers in his ministry. If he has any conscience left in him, he must resign and give chance for the largest party in the Assembly (BJP) to form the government. All our MLAs have arrived in Bengaluru, and in some time, we will hold the BJP legislative party meeting at the BJP office in Malleshwaram.” Congress, JD(S) workers are protesting in Bengaluru over BJP’s alleged horse-trading attempts Meanwhile, Congress workers are also protesting outside a Mumbai hotel where rebel Karnataka MLAs are staying. State BJP chief and former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa is holding a meeting with former Speaker KG Bopaiah at his residence. Yeddyurappa had a discussion with Bopaiah regarding legal advice on further action if there is delay in considerable amount of resignations. Karnataka deputy chief minister G Parameshwara has also resigned, Siddaramaiah was quoted as saying by News18 on Monday. In a series of tweets, the Congress leader Siddaramaiah hit out at BJP while blaming it squarely for the political crisis in Karnataka. Siddaramaiah said BJP members are “pseudo nationalists with an ulteriwhor motive of destabilizing India’s unity”. He even called Amit Shah and Narendrq Modi “traitors of the vibrant democracy”. Senior party leader including Siddaramaiah on Monday addressed the media after meeting with Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara at his residence. The Congress party announced that all its MLAs have offered to voluntarily resign to ‘unite the party’ and defeat ‘anti-democratic’ BJP. The former chief minister and Congress leader said that even though the coalition government in Karnataka had a “democratic mandate”, BJP used external agencies to influence its MLAs to resign from the Assembly and quit the government. He also alleged that Amit Shah and Narendra Modi interfered with the state leadership. Karnataka minister and Independent MLA Nagesh has resigned from his minister post, ANI reported. He wrote a letter to the Governor on Monday expressing his desire to support BJP, if the party wants his backing. Following Nagesh’s resignation and wish to join BJP, party leader Shobha Karandlaje said, “We welcome Independent MLA Nagesh. We will accept anybody into our party who is from non-political dispensation. We’re not in touch with any rebels of the Congress and JD(S), as long as they are with their parties.” After meeting with Karnataka deputy chief minister G Parameshwara at his residence on Monday morning, Congress MP DK Suresh told reporters that it has been decided that Congress MLAs will resign from the Assembly. In a bid to save the current government, Karnataka Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara called a meeting of Congress leaders on Monday and said, if needed, all Congress MLAs will resign in order to accommodate the needs of the rebel lawmakers. “I have called a breakfast meeting of all the ministers belonging to Congress party to discuss the present political developments and the fallout. We know what BJP is trying to do. If need be, all of us may resign and then accommodate the MLAs,” Parameshwara said. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy met dissenting Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy on Monday. According to sources, the meeting took place at an undisclosed location in the city. In the Parliament, Congress party has given Adjournment Motion Notice in the Lok Sabha saying that ‘BJP is trying to topple Congress-JDS government in Karnataka’. The 13-month-old Karnataka coalition government of JD(S) and Congress slumped into crisis following the resignation of their 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly on Saturday. JD(S) MLA H Vishwanath had on Saturday claimed that 14 MLAs have jointly tendered their resignations to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and requested him to accept them. With the dramatic turn of events, Kumaraswamy had to cut short his US visit and return to Bengaluru on Sunday, as the state government appears to have fallen into a minority. Apart from Reddy, who is considered to be a senior Congressman, Anand Singh, Ramesh Jarkiholi, BC Patil, H Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, S Hebbar, Mahesh Kumatalli, Gopalayya, and Pratap Gowda Patil also tendered their resignations. However, the Speaker is yet to accept the resignations. As many as 10 of the rebel MLAs are believed to be housed in Mumbai’s Sofitel hotel. However, Congress leader Byrathi Suresh said that all the leaders are together and want the government back. Suresh is brother of Congress leader Byrathi Basavaraj, who is among the 13 MLAs who have submitted their resignations to the Speaker. Meanwhile, deputy chief minister G Parameshwara invited state ministers from the Congress party for a breakfast meeting at his residence on Monday. Rebel Congress MLAs, who are staying in Sofitel Hotel, on Sunday said that their decision to resign from the Legislative Assembly was final. “We are 10 MLAs here. A total 13 MLAs have submitted resignation to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and Governor Vajubhai Bala. We all are together. No question of going back to Bengaluru and withdrawing the resignations.” On Sunday, Youth Congress workers staged a protest outside the hotel and asked the MLAs to take back their resignation. They shouted slogans against the BJP and accused it of indulging in horse-trading. The Congress workers including party vice-president Suraj Singh Thakur were detained by the police. Back in Karnataka, former chief minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah has called for a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) on July 9 here in which all MLAs have been asked to attend, failing which strict action will be taken against them. KC Venugopal and Mallikarjun Kharge will also be present in the meeting, which precedes the Assembly Session commencing on 12 July. While the leaders from Congress have blamed the BJP for the crisis, BJP on its part has denied any role in it. Kharge had slammed the ruling BJP at the Centre for “taking interest in toppling the alliance government in the state.” “Today also some MLAs went to Mumbai, they have gone under pressure and they have been told many things. Also, the BJP party in the state has become active with the help of the Centre. Ruling government at Centre has taken interest to topple this alliance govt. They are trying to get rid of this government,” Kharge said. Meanwhile, it has emerged that state unit of the BJP has booked 30 rooms for two days in Ramada Hotel on Doddaballapur Road here for its MLAs. “BJP has booked 30 rooms for two days in Ramada Hotel on Doddaballapur Road here for its MLAs,” ANI reported.
Karnataka news updates: BJP to wait for two days before deciding course of action; Congress' Roshan Baig vows to switch sides
Karnataka news LIVE updates: Claiming that no development took place in Karnataka under the Congress-JD(S) government, BJP MLA Arvind Limbavali said,“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.”
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BJP MLAs assure BSY of their loyalty
BS Yeddyurappa consulted BJP MLAs during the party meeting at its state headquarters. He was assured by the MLAs of their full loyalty to the party and that they will not be lured into defection. The party legislative committee meeting decided against moving its MLAs to any resort.
By M Raghuram/101Reporters
Sonia Gandhi fails to convince Jayanagar MLA Sowmya Reddy
Former AICC president Sonia Gandhi and senior party leader Sushmita Dev met Jayanagar MLA, and daughter of Ramalinga Reddy, Sowmya Reddy in Delhi. Nothing concrete came out of the meeting of the two leaders as Ramalinga Reddy is still with other rebel MLAs. According to sources, Sowmya is also expected to put her resignation and Sonia couldn’t convince her to change her decision.
By M Raghuram/101Reporters
Senior Congress leaders hold meeting with legal advisers on action against MLAs who resigned
According to ANI, Congress leaders KC Venugopal, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Siddaramaiah, G Parameshwara, MB Patil and Eshwara Khandre are holding a meeting at an undisclosed location, with legal advisers to discuss about the further action against the MLAs who have resigned.
Yeddyurappa slams Kumaraswamy for claiming govt will run smoothly
BS Yeddyurappa, BJP on K'taka CM saying 'Govt will run smoothly': 2 independent MLAs met the Guv & gave 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 & wait. pic.twitter.com/RFTIxnJxbz
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019
We’ll wait for two days and then decide our course of action, says BJP MLA
Claiming that no development took place in Karnataka under the Congress-JD(S) government, BJP MLA Arvind Limbavali said,“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.”
Arvind Limbavali, BJP MLA: There is drought and infrastructure issues here since last 1 year. During Congress govt here no development was done. Today's meeting was called to discuss the issues to be taken up in the assembly session which begins on 12 July. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/gfzZGhLtt1
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019
Will join BJP, says Congress MLA Roshan Baig
Amid a political crisis in Karnataka, Congress MLA Roshan Baig said that 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.
Roshan Baig to ANI: I'm hurt by the way Congress party treated me, I'll resign from my MLA post and join BJP. (file pic) #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/4eIs6KfPfR
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019
Congress leaders arrive in Bengaluru for meeting
Karnataka: Congress leaders arrive for a meeting at Kumara Krupa Guest House in Bengaluru. Karnataka Congress in charge KC Venugopal says, "Don't worry." pic.twitter.com/xU10LmioRk
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019
Bus carrying JD(S) MLAs leaves from Taj West End hotel in Bengaluru
The JD(S) MLAs, who were holed up in Taj West End, are now being taken to Prestige Golfshire in Nandi Hills Road in Devanahalli.
Bengaluru: A bus, carrying JD(S) MLAs, leaves from Taj West End hotel. They are now being taken to Golfshire, Nandi hills road in Devanahalli. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/BcoQRsfzeQ
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019
Independent MLA R Shankar resigns from Karnataka cabinet
R. Shankar, Karnataka Minister and independent MLA resigns from the Council of Ministers. pic.twitter.com/Wh3oBtjLwa
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019
MLAs staying at Sofitel Hotel leave for Goa, says report
According to CNN-News18, the rebel MLAs staying at Sofitel Hotel in Mumbai are leaving for Goa. This comes at a time when Congress leader DK Shivakumar is on his way to Mumbai to get in touch with the legislators.
Senior Congress leaders to meet in Bengaluru at 7 pm
Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and others will meet at 7 pm in Bengaluru.
FirstCut by Manjul
DK Shivakumar heading to Mumbai
DK Shivakumar, Congress’ trouble shooter and strongman, will leave for Mumbai soon with a mission to contact the MLAs who have been holed up in Sofitel Hotel in Bandra.
By M Raghuram/101Reporters
Hirkerur MLA BC Patil apologises to voters
Hirekerur MLA BC Patil, who has joined the rebellion group, asked the voters of his Assembly constituency through WhatsApp, to excuse him. Patil posted in a group named ‘Kourava’, “People of Hirekerur have elected me as MLA thrice, even though I didn’t have political background. I did lots of development works within my limits, but, Congress did injustice and cheated us by denying ministerial berth to our constituency. However, this has drastically impacted the development of our constituency. Finally, I resigned from the MLA post, so please excuse me.”
Patil also said he will take decision after taking suggestions and notices by the constituency voters in future. “I need your blessings for myself and for this constituency,” he added. Patil won by a thin margin of 555 votes against BJP’s UB Banakar.
By Basavaraj Maralihalli/101Reporters
Congress plans state-wide protests
The Congress has decided to hold massive protests at all the district centers in Karnataka on Tuesday against the ‘anti-democratic and unconstitutional BJP’. The Congress has ordered the party workers to deliver the party’s stand to the people.
By Soumya Rani/101Reporters
HDK should resign, says Yeddyurappa
State BJP chief BS Yedyurappa said, “Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has lost the mandate as he has no MLAs, no ministers in his ministry. If he has any conscience left in him, he must resign and give chance for the largest party in the Assembly (BJP) to form the government. All our MLAs have arrived in Bengaluru, and in some time, we will hold the BJP legislative party meeting at the BJP office in Malleshwaram.”
By M Raghuram/101Reporters
Youth Congress workers protest outside Sofitel Hotel in Mumbai
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
BJP offering crores to lure MLAs: MB Patil
Amid a political crisis in Karnataka, state home minister MB Patil said, “You (BJP) think it’s game over, but, the game is not over, it has just begun. Keep it all to yourself. Keep it up, Rs 30, 40, 100 crores offered to lure MLAs by BJP."
By Soumya Rani/101Reporters
BJP confident of keeping its flock together
MP from Udupi Chikkamagaluru and senior BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje said, “Dare Congress and JD(S) touch our MLAs or lure them with their filthy money! All our MLAs who had gone back to their respective constituencies are coming back to Bengaluru, and will be in city moving freely and helping the leadership in dealing with the situation.”
By M Raghuram/101Reporters
Speaker must hear MLAs’ concerns under the 10th Schedule, says expert
Ashok Haronahalli, a constitutional expert and advocate, has opined that the Speaker of the Assembly is empowered by the Constitution of India to take a call on the acceptance of resignation. Without this decision, the Speaker cannot act arbitrarily disqualify any legislator. He must hear the legislator under the 10th Schedule to see how and why he was resigning and examine if he was coaxed or coerced to resign.
He said that disqualifying an MLA under Article 164(1b), which allows disqualification of legislators on grounds of defection, is a long process.
By M Raghuram/101Reporters
Congress-JD(S) workers stage protest in Bengaluru over BJP’s ‘horse-trading’ attempts
Meanwhile, Congress workers are also protesting outside a Mumbai hotel where rebel Karnataka MLAs are staying.
Bengaluru: Congress-JD(S) workers stage protest on the streets of the city alleging horse trading by BJP in the state. pic.twitter.com/MvcskNAN6r
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019
BJP exploiting central institutions to intimidate MLAs: Siddaramaiah
Targetting the Opposition BJP, former chief minister and chairman of reconciliation committee Siddaramaiah said, “The BJP is trying to overthrow the government through anti-constitutional measures. The BJP, which has no respect for democracy, is a disgrace to the country. The BJP is constantly trying to break up a constitutionally constituted government with a mandate.”
Siddaramaiah, who called Amit Shah and Narendra Modi “dictator”, accused them of exploiting central institutions to intimidate the Congress and JD(S) legislators. “This is the sixth attempt of the BJP to topple the coalition government in the last one year,” Siddaramaiah said, adding that he was sure that the BJP would fail again.
By Soumya Rani/101Reporters
Ahmed Patel to hold Congress meeting in Delhi
The AICC has turned back to the old guard. Senior Congress leaders are expected the leave for Delhi to attend a meeting of the AICC, called to specially deal with the developments in Karnataka. The meeting will be held under the guidance of senior leader Ahmed Patel.
By M Raghuram/101Reporters
JD(S) MLAs to head to Kodagu, bus waiting at Taj Westend
The JD(S) legislators will head to Paddington Resort in Kodagu after the JD(S) meeting. The Volvo bus has arrived at hotel Taj Westend, where the meeting of JD(S) leaders is taking place.
By Soumya Rani/101Reporters
Will always remain in Congress: Kampli MLA JN Ganesh
Kampli MLA JN Ganesh has made it clear that he will remain in Congress. He is visiting wards in Kampli on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Hospet (Vijayanagara) MLA Anand Singh is in staying in his constituency. However, the whereabouts of Ballari Rural MLA Nagendra are not known. His family sources confirmed that he submitted his resignation on Monday.
By Shama Sunder/101Reporters
Siddaramaiah to hold CLP meet on Tuesday
According to reports, Siddarmaiah will hold a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party on Tuesday.
Siddaramaiah tells MLAs to think about party’s future
Talking about the resignation of Congress MLAs, former chief minister Siddaramaiah said, “Of course, some people are disappointed as to why they didn’t get a ministerial berth. All our ministers have voluntarily resigned in order to correct it and have expressed their opinion that the future of the party is important, and that personal status is not important.”
He also appealed to the lawmakers, who resigned because they have been deprived of their ministerial position, to come back to the party fold as a Cabinet reshuffle is being worked upon.
By Soumya Rani/101Reporters
BSY meets Bopaiah to seek legal advice
State BJP chief and former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa is holding a meeting with former Speaker KG Bopaiah at his residence. Yeddyurappa had a discussion with Bopaiah regarding legal advice on further action if there is delay in considerable amount of resignations.
By Soumya Rani/101Reporters
‘G Parameshwara also resigned’
Karnataka deputy chief minister G Parameshwara has also resigned, Siddaramaiah was quoted as saying by News18 on Monday.
JD(S) MLAs to be moved to a resort in Coorg
JD(S) is likely to move its MLAs to Paddington Resorts in Coorg, News18 reported. The JD (S) MLAs are likely to be shifted to a resort in Kodagu. Amid the crisis gripping the beleaguered coalition, the JD (S) leadership has booked 35 rooms for three nights from Monday at Paddington resort in Somwarpet in Kodagu, reports said. Except HD Kumaraswamy, all the JD (S) MLAs, excluding three, who are away in Mumbai, are expected to be shifted to the resort.
Congress leaders to meet in Delhi today
Senior Congress leaders are likely to meet in New Delhi later at 7 pm today. The development comes as the party struggles to keep its coalition government with JD(S) afloat in Karnataka, The Indian Express reported.
Independent MLA Nagesh reaches Sofitel Hotel in Mumbai
Nagesh had resigned from his post a minister in the Karnataka Assembly earlier on Monday.
Maharashtra: Karnataka Independent MLA Nagesh has reached Sofitel hotel in Mumbai where other rebels Karnataka MLAs are staying. Nagesh has resigned as a minister,earlier today. https://t.co/48CN5XFvGt
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019
Rajeev Chandrasekhar hits back at G Parameshwara over the use of his chopper to ferry rebel MLAs, says ‘your own ministers flew in it’
Replying to Deputy CM Parameshwar’s allegations of BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s company using its chopper to take the rebel MLAs to Mumbai, the Rajya Sabha MP tweeted:
Dear @DrParameshwara - this “aircraft” is a commercial charter - tht has been chartered by many ppl incldg ur own ministers in past !
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@RajeevRC_X) July 8, 2019
So dont blame me or an “aircraft” or @BJP4India for the problems in yr crooked corrupt opprtunistic “alliance”. 🤨😏😠 https://t.co/AlQFZjffPV
‘Greed and pressure, prime tactics of BJP’, ‘open statement of corruption,’ Opposition slams BJP for K’taka crisis
Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Samta Party (RLSP) called the signs in Karnataka as extremely dangerous for democracy. Whereas, party’s Vice President Jitendra Nath said, “Greed and pressure are the prime tactics of BJP. They did it in Bihar, they are trying it in West Bengal already. They won’t let the opposition party’s government in any state, it feels like. This is all being facilitated by huge chunks of money in BJP’s exchequer.”
Meanwhile, CPI (ML) alleged that BJP made multiple attempts to topple the government in Karnataka. “We all know how Ram Madhav on television had boasted saying that BJP has Amit Shah. So, the ability to buy and twist the mandate around, that is something which BJP has been doing and Karnataka is their latest exercise,” said Kavita Krishnan, polit bureau member of CPI (ML).
On the other hand, Samajwadi Party said that “BJP’s influence in creating political havoc in Karnataka is unconstitutional”. The only spokesperson of SP at the moment Rajinder Chaudhary said, “What BJP is trying to do is highly unconstitutional. It’s immoral and shows utter disregard for the mandate which Congress-JD(S) had received in the Assembly elections.”
All JD(S) MLAs also resign from Karnataka Assembly
The chief minister’s office tweeted that all the JD(S) MLAs have also resigned in the same was as the 21 ministers of the Congress party had resigned earlier today. “The cabinet will be restructured soon,” the tweet read.
ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಪಕ್ಷದ 21 ಸಚಿವರು ರಾಜೀನಾಮೆ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿರುವ ರೀತಿಯಲ್ಲೇ ಜೆಡಿಎಸ್ ಪಕ್ಷದ ಎಲ್ಲ ಸಚಿವರು ರಾಜೀನಾಮೆ ನೀಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) July 8, 2019
ಸಚಿವ ಸಂಪುಟವನ್ನು ಶೀಘ್ರವೇ ಪುನಾರಚಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು.
DK Shivakumar alleges Independent MLA Nagesh has been ‘hijacked’ by BJP
Shivakumar while talking to media said that Nagesh called him to inform that he has been hijacked by some people close to BJP leader BS Yedyurappa.
Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar: Just now Mr Nagesh (Independent MLA who resigned as minister) called me and said that he has been hijacked by Mr Yeddyurappas' PA and BJP. By the time I reached airport the flight had left. pic.twitter.com/8GGvD76LTa
— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2019
Kumaraswamy breaks silence, says govt will run smoothly
“The issue will be resolved, don’t worry. This government will run smoothly,” Kumaraswamy was quoted as saying by ANI.
Lone BSP MLA threatens to quit, support BJP
The lone BSP MLA in the state, N Mahesh has said that he is willing to offer issue-based support to BJP, News18 reported.
Siddaramaiah hits out at BJP, calls it a ‘disgrace for the country’
In a series of tweets, the Congress leader Siddaramaiah hit out at BJP while blaming it squarely for the political crisis in Karnataka. Siddaramaiah said BJP members are “pseudo nationalists with an ulterior motive of destabilizing India’s unity”. He even called Amit Shah and Narendrq Modi “traitors of the vibrant democracy”.
.@BJP4India is a disgrace to our country & they have no respect for Parliamentary democracy. RSS did not respect freedom movement & BJP is not respecting our constitution. They are pseudo nationalists with ulterior motive of destabilizing India's unity.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 8, 2019
Kumaraswamy govt didn’t let me work: Independent MLA Nagesh
Small scale industry Minister and Mulbagal legislator H Nagesh who resigned from the Cabinet and also withdrew support to Kumaraswamy government had reportedly told former Legislator of Mulbagal Kothur Manjunath that though he was made minister he was not able to discharge his duties as the government had not posted officials of his choice to his office.
Input by Raghuram
