BJP Ministers quit en masse, coalition partners go tough

Bangalore, Oct 2 (UNI) No immediate solution was in sight to the crisis in Karnataka with coalition partners Janata Dal(S) and the BJP adopting tough posture on transfer of power with 17 Ministers belonging to the latter party submitting their resignation to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy of the JD (S) this evening.

Mr Kumaraswamy was supposed to resign today and pave way for BJP Leader B S Yediyurappa to assume charge as the new Chief Minister as per agreement reached between the two leaders prior to the formation of the coalition government in the state 20 months ago.

In a series of developments today, both the party leaders adopted tough approach and were engaged in chalking out future course of action.

The crisis was precipitated with all the 17 BJP Ministers, led by Deputy Chief Minister Yediyurappa, resigning en masse and submitting the letters to the Chief Minister with a cover note highlighting their 'humiliating experience' in the last 20 months.

Earlier, the BJP leaders attended the meeting in presence of National Vice President Yashwant Sinha and Senior Leader Venkaiah Naidu.

The JD(S) legislators, too, were huddled in the Home Office of the Chief Minister to discuss on future strategy.

MORE UNI