2 Karnataka Cong MLAs Resign, Yeddyurappa 'Exploring Possibilities' Of Forming New Govt

In his hand-written letter in Kannada, faxed to the office of Assembly Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar, Jarkiholi complained his party had "ignored" his seniority after dropping from the cabinet last year.

Anand Singh (L) and Ramesh Jarkiholi (R)

Bengaluru (Karnataka): Karnataka BJP chief and former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa on Monday hinted at exploring possibilities of forming a government if the Congress-JD(S) coalition government collapses before completing its term. He said this after two Congress MLAs on Monday resigned from the state Assembly. Congress MLA from Vijayanagar Anand Singh and rebel legslator Ramesh Jarkiholi submitted their resignations afflicting a massive a blow to the H.D. Kumaraswamy-led coalition government. "Even I got to know about his (Anand Singh's) resignation through media. We have no intention 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 polls," Yeddyurappa reportedly told a TV news channel. In his hand-written letter in Kannada, faxed to the office of Assembly Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar, Jarkiholi complained his party had "ignored" his seniority after dropping from the cabinet last year. "I have resigned as Gokak legislator for being ignored by the party and the coalition government," he said. His resignation came within hours of party legislator Anand Singh quitting the house to protest the Congress-JD-S coalition government's plans to sell over 3,667 acres in Ballari to JSW Steel Ltd. "I have submitted my resignation letter to Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar at his residence, as I am unhappy with the coalition government's decision to sell the land to Jindal steel firm," Singh, who represents the Vijayanagar assembly constituency in Ballari, told reporters here. Singh had recently held a press conference in Ballari against the sale of 3,667 acres of land to JSW Steel. Singh had stated that protecting the interest of the district was more important than the party and had hinted he would resign. It is speculated that he would join the BJP. (With additional information from Agencies)