Political crisis in Karnataka continues
In a last-ditch effort to save the 13-month-old Congress-JDS government in Karnataka which has been hit by resignations of over a dozen MLAs, the Congress Monday said its ministers have resigned voluntarily to enable a reshuffle of the cabinet and make way for the disgruntled legislators.
This decision was taken at a breakfast meeting of Congress ministers at Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara's residence here. The meeting was attended by CLP leader Siddaramaiah and AICC general secretary K C Venugopal among others.
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy held discussions with Congress leaders after the meeting.
The speaker would take a call on Tuesday.
Here are the LIVE UPDATES on the Karnataka crisis:
8:53 pm: How numbers stack up
Karnataka assembly strength
BJP: 105
Congress: 79-10 = 69 (ST Somashekar,BC Patil,B Basavaraj,Ramalinga Reddy,Muniratna,Mahesh Kumtalli,Pratap G Patil,Ramesh Jarkiholi,Anand Singh,Shivaram Hebbar)
JD(S): 37-3 = 34 (H Vishwanath,Gopalaiah,Narayana Gowda)
BSP = 1
Independent = MLA
5:28 pm: They have lost the majority and have no right to conduct business. The CM should resign: BS Yeddyurappa
5:26 pm:
4:14 pm: Senior Congress leaders to meet in New Delhi at 7 pm to discuss Karnataka Crisis
03:47 pm: Congress MLA Soumya Reddy, daughter of Ramalinga Reddy (Congress MLA who had tendered his resignation), will come to Bengaluru tomorrow and attend the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting.
03:00 pm: All JDS ministers have also resigned
02:32 pm: Kumaraswamy isn't much worried though. He tells ANI: "The issue will be resolved. Don't worry. This govt will run smoothly."
02:30 pm: Some Congress MPs turned up in the Lok Sabha with 'Save Democracy' posters, reports ANI.
02:21 pm: Karnataka Transport Minister and JDS leader DC Thammanna has confirmed that no direction was given by party leaders to resign. He adds: "If they suggest, I will definitely resign."
01:25 pm: "Our party has nothing to do with what is happening in Karnataka. Our party has never indulged in horse trading," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh clarifies in the Lok Sabha.
01:15 pm: Karnataka Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah says 21 Congress ministers resigned voluntarily.
12:40 pm: All Congress ministers have resigned
12:02 pm: "We welcome Independent MLA Nagesh [who has resigned as minister]. We will accept anybody into our party who is from a non-political dispensation. We're not in touch with any rebels of the Congress and JDS, as long as they are with their parties," Karnataka BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje tells ANI.
11:48 am: Karnataka Independent MLA Nagesh resigns as minister. "I've already withdrawn my support to government headed by HD Kumaraswamy. I would extend my support to the government of the BJP if called for," he mentioned in his resignation letter.
11.10 am: DK Suresh, Congress MP: BJP national leaders are behind this [political crisis in Karnataka]. BJP people don’t want this govt or any opposition party to rule in the state or in the country. They are destroying the democracy. #Karnataka
10:51 am: BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje reaches BS Yeddyurappa’s residence.
10:27 am: Karnataka Congress Legislature Party leader Siddharamaiah and ministers UT Khader, Shivashankara Reddy, Venkataramanappa, Jayamala, MB Patil, Krishna Byre Gowda, Rajshekar Patil, Rajshekar Patil, DK Shivakumar have reached Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara's residence for breakfast.
10:14 am: Karnataka Congress Legislature Party leader Siddharamaiah and Ministers UT Khader, Shivashankara Reddy, Venkataramanappa, Jayamala, MB Patil, Krishna Byre Gowda, Rajshekar Patil, Rajshekar Patil, DK Shivakumar reach Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara's Bengalaru residence for breakfast
09:15 am: I've called a breakfast meeting of all Congress ministers, 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, says Karnataka Deputy CM G Parameshwara
08:30 am: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and rebel Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy hold meeting at an undisclosed location in Bengaluru
THE CASE
The coalition government in the state has plunged into a crisis with 13 MLAs -- 10 from the Congress and three from the JD(S) -- resigning.
On Monday, Karnataka minister and Independent MLA H Nagesh resigned and withdrew support to the H D Kumaraswamy-led government, delivering another blow to the shaky coalition, which faces the risk of losing its majority if the resignations are accepted.
Ten out of the total 13 MLAs who have resigned are now camping at a hotel in Mumbai.
According to sources, the JDS too is contemplating a similar move to seek resignation from its ministers ahead of the reshuffle.
Venugopal said the party was ready to discuss everything and the MLAs who have resigned should come back.
"We are confident they will come back," he said.
He said the Congress will "strongly" face this situation, adding, "We strongly believe in the strength of the party in Karnataka and are confident this government will continue."
Accusing the BJP of trying to destabilise the government, Venugopal further said, "This is the sixth time the BJP has tried to destabilise the coalition government in the state. They have tried five times in the past, but failed miserably. This time also, they will fail. They are using money power and central agencies to destabilise the government."
Also Read | Congress protests outside Mumbai hotel where Karnataka MLAs are lodged
Video: Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy meets JD(S) leaders in Bengaluru
