Karnataka MLAs Whisked Back to Mumbai; Cong Issues Whip To Legislators, Including Rebels To Attend Assembly Session

Both the Congress and the JD-S have issued whips to all their legislators to be present in the Assembly for passing the state Budget (finance bill) and participate in the discussions on other subjects till the session ends on February 24.

Fourteen MLAs from Karnataka returned to a luxury hotel in Mumbai on Thursday evening after submitting their resignations to the Speaker in Bengaluru.(PTI)

Karnataka Crisis: Hours after the political drama moved to Supreme Court after Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar sought some more time, despite deadline, to ‘verify’ resignations of rebel MLAs, fourteen legislators from Karnataka returned to a luxury hotel in Mumbai on Thursday evening after submitting their resignations to the Speaker in Bengaluru. The apex court yesterday asked Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to take a decision on the resignations of 10 rebel Congress and JD(S) MLAs before the day ended, the Speaker told the court that the process would take time and he won’t be able to complete it Thursday.

Mumbai: Karnataka rebel MLAs returned to Renaissance - Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel late last night. They had met Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar in Bengaluru y'day after they were directed by Supreme Court to meet the Speaker at 6 pm & resubmit their resignations. pic.twitter.com/Skdf2ehiIJ

— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2019

Following the same, the MLAs returned to the Renaissance hotel in suburban Powai and they would be staying there for another two days. The legislators were camping here since Saturday evening after resigning and withdrawing support to the 13-month-old JD(S)-Congress government in Karnataka, bringing it on the verge of collapse. Also Watch | Sonia, Rahul protest in Parliament on Goa, Karnataka In Bengaluru, the Speaker said the MLAs had submitted their resignations in the "right format" and he will have to examine whether they are "voluntary and genuine." The Supreme Court had asked the speaker to take decision "forthwith" on Thursday on resignation of rebel Congress-JD(S) coalition MLAs.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Karnataka political situation: Speaker should take the decision early, they (Rebel MLAs) have all met personally and submitted their resignations. This constitutional crisis should end as soon as possible. (11.7.19) pic.twitter.com/vX8ub07MYs

— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2019

Parties Issues Whip To MLAs Meanwhile, both the Congress and the JD-S have issued whips to all their legislators to be present in the Assembly for passing the state Budget (finance bill) and participate in the discussions on other subjects till the session ends on February 24.

Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy: Congress-JDS coalition in the state is going strong despite the efforts to destabilize. We are confident and prepared for a smooth and fruitful conduct of legislative sessions. (1/2) (File pic) pic.twitter.com/pOSxhNWQ8B

— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2019

Congress legislative Party leader Siddaramaih issued whip to all the congress MLAs to attend today's session in Parliament to pass finance bill and other matters, failing which the legislators will be disqualified under Anti Defection law. (with inputs from agencies)