Kumaraswamy denies Sriramulu's resignation

Bangalore, Apr 3 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today denied on the floor of the Legislative Assembly that Tourism Minister B Sriramulu had tendered his resignation yesterday.

Replying to the matter raised by Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj, he dismissed it as just a media report. No importance should be attached to the reports and there was no confusion about it, he said.

It may be recalled here that Mr Sriramulu of the BJP had tendered his resignation in protest against the ''inaction of the police'' following the murder of a Muslim leader and the ''worsening'' law and order situation in Bellary district due to police ''negligence''. He had accused the JD(S) workers and Political Secretary to the Chief Minister of being behind the murder. Mr Sriramulu had faxed his resignation letter to Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and BJP State President D V Sadananda Gowda and threatened to resign his membership to the Assembly as well if the situation did not improve.

Mr Kumaraswamy said he had asked Mr Sriramulu to attend the funeral of seer Punyananda Valmiki Swamiji, who died after a speeding train hit the van, in which he was travelling, at an unmanned level crossing near Davanagere.

UNI