More trouble for coalition govt in Karnataka: 2 Cong MLAs quit; Kumaraswamy blames BJP

Bengaluru, July 01: Even as the Congress-JD(S) coalition is trying hard to keep its flock together in Karnataka, everything doesn't appear to be happening the way it wants.

In a major blow to the coalition in Karnataka, two Congress legislators in have resigned from the post. Anand Singh resigned first, and hours later Ramesh Jarkiholi gave his resignation to the Speaker.

Both the leaders have refused to give any reason behind the move.

"Yes. I have resigned. Today morning, I submitted the resignation," Singh said.

However, Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar denied any knowledge on MLA Anand Singh's resignation, saying he has not received any resignation letter from the MLA's side.

"I have got nothing to do with political developments and I will accept resignations even if 20 members resign. I'm not aware of any such resignation. I haven't met any leader, not even Anand Singh," adds the speaker.

Kumaraswamy blames BJP

The development comes at a time when JD(S) leader and Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy in the US for the foundation laying ceremony of a temple.

"The foundation laying of Kalabhairaveshwara Temple is going on at New Jersey under the aegis of Swamiji. I am watching all the developments from here. BJP is day dreaming to destabilise the government," Kumaraswamy tweeted.

Anand Singh's resignation shocks Congress

Responding to the reports, Congress leader D K Shiva Kumar said "Definitely, it is a bit shocking to me, I'm trying to trace him, I couldn't trace him. I have to check with the speaker whether it is true or not."

According to the reports, 7 other rebel MLAs likely to resign following Anand's resignation. A few MLAs B Nagendra, BC Patil and Kampli Ganesh remain incommunicado.

Anand had expressed his disappointment over the H D Kumaraswamy led Congress-JD(S) coalition government favouring selling of land to Jindal company (JSW).

BJP keeps a close watch

"Even I have heard about his (Anand Singh's) resignation through media. We don't want to destabilise the government... If the government falls on own its own, we will explore the possibilities of forming the new government but there is no question of fresh elections," Karnataka BJP chief and former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said.

Siddaramaiah calls Congress Legislature Party meet

Congress Legislature Party meeting called by CLP leader Siddaramaiah at his residence in Bengaluru following resignation of Karnataka Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Ramesh Jarkiholi from the Assembly.

The Vijayanagar MLA was in news after a brawl with Congress MLA Kampli Ganesh in the Eagleton Resort in Bengaluru in January.

All 78 MLAs from Congress were holed up in Eagleton Resort in Bengaluru as there were rumours of BJP trying to poach MLAs to destabilise the coalition government.

A badly injured Singh was later admitted to hospital. Reports were rife that at least six more MLAs from Congress would also rebel against their party