Karnataka: Congress Puts Up Brave Front, Says Govt Will Continue

Amid a flurry of resignations by the ruling combine MLAs, senior congress leader and coalition coordination committee chief Siddaramaiah on Saturday asserted that the government in Karnataka would continue, even as the BJP said it had nothing to do with the resignations.

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BENGALURU: Amid a flurry of resignations by the ruling combine MLAs, senior congress leader and coalition coordination committee chief Siddaramaiah on Saturday asserted that the government in Karnataka would continue, even as the BJP said it had nothing to do with the resignations. Putting a question mark over the government's survival, 14 MLAs of the ruling JD(S)-Congress alliance in Karnataka have submitted their resignation to the Speaker. "Fourteen MLAs from Congress and JD(S), including Anand Singh, have submitted resignation from the Assembly to the Speaker...we also brought to matter to the notice of governor," JD(S) MLA A H Vishwanath told reporters after meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala. Singh submitted his resignation to the Speaker earlier this week. The BJP, which has come under attack from the combine for allegedly trying to destabilise the government by luring MLAs, clarified that it had nothing to do with the resignation of the legislators. State BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa said his party would take "appropriate decision at the appropriate time." Asked if BJP, the single largest party, would make any move to stake claim before the Governor, Yeddyurappa said "We will not do such things. "We will wait and watch the developments that are unfolding," he said. JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda said the ball was in the Speakers court. Amid the political turmoil, Siddaramaiah said AICC general secretary Venugopal would arrive to hold talks with leaders. "Nothing will happen..Venugopal (AICC General Secretary) will come (to Bengaluru)..nothing will happen, government will continue," Siddaramaiah said. "How it (government) will be unstable? Resignation has to get accepted right? It has not been accepted yet. Siddaramaiah, who is also the CLP leader said, he will speak to MLAs. "We are trying to contact them.." Trying to find a solution to the crisis, Minister and Congress troubleshooter D K Shivakumar held talks with four Congress MLAs Ramalinga Reddy, ST Somashekhar, Byrati Basavaraj and Muniratna. Congress sources said Shivakumar tried to persuade Ramalinga Reddy and bring the situation under control but the talks failed. Reacting to the development, JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda said, "The ball is in the court of the Speaker..Im also ready to see along with you what will happen next..." Yeddyurappa said his party had nothing to do with the resignations. "We will see what will happen in the future..we will take appropriate decision at appropriate time. The prevailing confusing situation has hampered the development of the state. Im keeping a watch. Based on whatever will happen, what decision the Speaker will take, we will think about further action," he added. Senior Congress leader and MLA Ramalinga Reddy, who submitted his resignation, has been sulking ever since the coalition government was formed as he felt he had been sidelined and not given a place in the cabinet. He had previously handled the portfolios of Home and Transport. Reddy had been airing his grievances and many senior Congress and JD(S) MLAs including R Roshan Baig and A H Vishwanath had supported him. Speaking to reporters, Reddy said "I have already spoken several times about the reasons behind the resignation but I will not repeat them. Shivakumar wanted me not to resign but I have already submitted my resignation." When asked whether he would withdraw his resignation, Reddy said, "Will anyone take the resignation back after submitting it? I will not withdraw." Reddy, however, insisted that he would remain in Congress and maintained that the resignation was only from the legislative assembly. He clarified that his resignation had nothing to do with denial of ministerial berth.