New Delhi: THe Congress-Janata Dal-Secular coalition government in Karnataka is going through a massive rift after another Independent lawmaker quit and pledged support to the BJP, taking the total number of resignations since last week to 15.
13 rebel MLAs belong to Congress and JD(S). Monday with an Independent MLA resigning and came out in support of the BJP, giving it a narrow edge in the assembly. In addition, Congress’ Roshan Baig, who was suspended last month for “anti-party activities” too said that he will quit the Congress and join the BJP.
Here are the key developments:
- Congress MLAs who are staying in Mumbai had planned to shift to Pune, later changing it to Goa. But they are now staying back at an undisclosed location in Mumbai.
- Independent MLA Nagesh stepped down and pledged support for the BJP on Monday following which he left for Mumbai. In the evening, Independent legislator and minister R Shankar also resigned.
- “All ministers from the JDS have submitted their resignation just like the 21 ministers from Congress. Cabinet reshuffle will happen soon,” Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy tweeted.
- “This is unconstitutional, it is the work of the BJP high command. The government will survive,” Mr Kumaraswamy told NDTV. “There is no threat to the coalition government,” said Congress’s Siddaramaiah. Senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said.
- The crisis also managed to enter the corridors of the Parliament as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a denial on Congress’ allegations of BJP attempting to destabilise the government “Our party does not put pressure on any other party’s lawmaker or legislator. It is Rahul Gandhi who started the resignation spree,” Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha.