Congress-JD(S) alliance blames BJP as 13 MLAs resign and land in Mumbai

Mangalore Today News Network

Bangaluru, July 7, 2019: The Congress-JD(S) alliance in Karnataka is on brink of collapse after 13 MLAs, 10 from Congress and 3 from JD(S), submitted their resignation and withdrew their support from the HD Kumaraswamy led government.

Speaker Ramesh Kumar confirmed that 13 MLAs had submitted their resignations to the Assembly secretary. But he said that he was “busy” till Monday and would meet the MLAs on Tuesday. With this, the total number of resignations has reached 14.

The majority mark in the 224-member assembly in Karnataka is 113 and if the speaker, KR Ramesh Kumar, accepts the resignations then the coalition’s number will plunge to 105. The BJP also has 105 MLAs in the assembly.

The rebel leaders later moved to Mumbai in order to evade Congress’ attempt to retain.  

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal also rushed to Bengaluru after news of the resignations came in and met Congress leader Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, and other leaders to discuss the situation.

As per some sources, Siddaramaiah in the meeting expressed his anger at Parameshwara and blamed him for the current situation.

Meanwhile, CM Kumaraswamy is now heading back to Bengaluru from the US and has sent his brother HD Revanna to attend the meeting with Siddaramaiah.

While Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala accused the BJP of the current situation in the state and said: "A new symbol of horse trading politics has emerged in the country, MODI - Mischievously Orchestrated Defections in India."

However, the BJP blamed the resignations on the "disgruntlement" among the ruling alliance lawmakers.

In the meanwhile, Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa said that his party had nothing to do with the resignations.

"We will see what will happen in the future... we will take an appropriate decision at the appropriate time. The prevailing confusing situation has hampered the development of the state. I am keeping a watch, he said.

"Based on what decision the Speaker will take, we will think about further action," he added.

Asked if the BJP would make any move to stake claim to form the government before the Governor, Yeddyurappa said, "We will not do such things. We will wait and watch the developments that are unfolding.