K'taka Min threatens to resign along with 19 legislators

Bangalore, Mar 18: Even as former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa convened a meeting of his loyalists here, Minister Balachandra Jarkiholi on Sunday, Mar 18 threatened to resign along with 19 other legislators if infighting over the leadership issue was not put to an end.

"If the infighting in the party does not end, I, along with 19 other legislators, will tender resignation," the Municipal Administration Minister, who was among the 16 MLAs disqualified from the membership of the assembly in 2010, told reporters.

"We will inform Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda and state BJP President KS Eshwarappa about our resignation (decision) and hand over letter in this regard to Governor HR Bhardwaj," he said.

The BJP central leadership wants Gowda to present the state budget and internal bickering are hurting the party and its members, he said, adding, "There is no question of change of leadership."

Jarkiholi also said Gowda should be allowed to complete his term as he was performing well.

The 16 MLAs - 11 of them belonging to BJP and the rest Independents - were disqualified by Speaker K G Bopaiah on Oct 10, two days before the deadline fixed by the Governor to Yeddyurappa to prove his majority after the legislators wrote a letter withdrawing their support to him.

Later, the Supreme Court on May 13 last year struck down the speaker's order and also the High Court verdict which had upheld it.

The legislators including Jarkiholi had wanted Yeddyurappa to step down as chief minister.

PTI