No threat to govt, will present budget on Feb 8: Shettar

Bangalore, Feb 4:

Chief Minister

on Monday asserted there was no threat to his government in the wake of resignation by some

MLAs and he would be presenting his maiden

on February 8. "There is no threat to the government. On February 8, I am going to present the budget. Nothing to worry," he told reporters after Governor HR Bhardwaj's address to the joint state legislature session here.

Shettar said he would welcome constructive criticism and suggestion from opposition parties, when his attention was drawn to opposition criticisms on his government. Days ahead of the session, 13 rebel BJP MLAs loyal to former Chief Minister and Karnataka Janata Party (KJP) president BS Yeddyurappa had submitted their resignations from the House membership to Speaker KG Bopaiah, who accepted 12 and rejected one on technical grounds.

One more BJP MLA had submitted his resignation on February 1, but its fate is yet to be known. The development posed no threat to the six month-old Shettar ministry as the effective strength of the 224-member House has been reduced with 12 more seats falling vacant in addition to the two earlier.

With the acceptance of resignation of 12 MLAs, the BJP now has a strength of 105, Congress 71, JDS 26, independents seven and the Speaker.

PTI