Amidst the ongoing political crisis in Karnataka, the rebel leaders of Congress on Tuesday said that they are not joining Bharatiya Janata Party. The statement comes hours after the Congress Legislative Party Leader announced that it will approach the Assembly Speaker seeking disqualification of the rebels.
One of the rebels of the Congress ST Somashekhar, who is currently in Mumbai along with other rebels, said that they are not joining the BJP.
Speaking to ANI, Somashekhar, said, ‘Total 10 MLAs (Congress-JDS) have submitted their resignation to Speaker and Karnataka Governor. We are still in Congress party but resigned from MLA post’.
He further said that they don’t want any ministerial post adding that the People of Karnataka ‘don’t like ‘Maitri’ government’.
Congress leader ST Somashekhar in Mumbai: Total 10 MLAs (Congress-JDS) have submitted their resignation to Speaker&Karnataka Governor. We are still in Congress party but resigned from MLA post.We're not expecting any minister post. People of Karnataka don't like 'Maitri' govt'. pic.twitter.com/ncpiZ5VSYI
— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019
In the meantime, one of the rebels of Janata Dal (Secular), Narayan Gowda, slammed the State Government saying that government has done nothing for the development.
As quoted by ANI, Disgruntled JD-S Lawmaker said, ‘We have resigned from MLA post due to lack of development in the state. Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy traveled abroad without consultation with MLAs, no work was progressing in the state. We will stay here for 2 days and then we will return’.
JDS leader Narayan Gowda, in Mumbai: We've resigned from MLA post due to lack of development in the state. Karnataka CM travelled abroad without consultation with MLAs, no work was progressing in the state. We will stay here for 2 days and then we will return. pic.twitter.com/oV3zGhNkpa
— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2019
While earlier in the day Congress Legislative Party meeting held in Bangalore. Speaking to media earlier in the day, SG Siddaramaiah said that they have decided to file a petition before Assembly Speaker to disqualify all the rebels and request him to not accept the resignation.
He further said that they will request the assembly speaker to take action against all the under the anti-defection law.
It should be noted that all the JD-S and Congress Ministers had on Monday stepped down from their position making way for the rebels to keep the coalition government intact.
The 13-months old coalition government suffered a huge setback on Saturday when11 MLAs from Congress–JD(S) ruling coalition tendered their resignation.
With the resignation of 11 MLAs of Congress-JDS and 2 Independent MLAs, the coalition government reduced to a minority with 104 MLAs which is 9 less than the required figures.
However, the Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar has yet not taken a call.
In the meantime, he has written to State Governor over the issue. As quoted by ANI, in his letter he stated that ‘None of the rebel MLAs have met me’. He has also expressed confidence that he will uphold constitutional norms.
He further added that out of the 13 resignations, 8 are not according to law. He has given time to all Lawmakers to present themselves before him.
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