The crisis which is threatening the survival of Karnataka government has entered the ninth day, resignations by rebel MLAs and attempts to persuade them not to resign are likely to continue on Sunday. On Saturday, leaders of the Congress-JD(S) coalition were locked in hectic parleys to pacify rebel MLAs as five more legislators moved the Supreme Court against the Speaker not accepting their resignation. The BJP too upped the ante demanding that CM HD Kumaraswamy seek a trust vote on Monday, a day prior to the Supreme Court hearing on a similar petition of 10 other rebel MLAs of Congress-JD (S) who have resigned.
In a late-night development, MLA MTB Nagaraj announced on Saturday that he was withdrawing his resignation and would remain with the Congress party. Nagaraj’s decision to stay a Congressman came amid intense efforts by the party to placate and woo its rebel legislators in the state. Karnataka Chief Minister Kumaraswamy and Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah, too, had persuaded MTB Nagaraj to withdraw his resignation.
Karnataka crisis live updates-
Addressing the media, MTB Nagaraj said that he has decided to stay in Congress as the senior leaders kept persuading to stay in the party.
Congress leader Siddaramaiah said that he was confident of getting most MLAs on board in the floor test of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government. Siddaramaiah also expressed hope that Chikballapur MLA Sudhakar will follow Nagraj in returning to the party fold.
An upbeat BJP on Saturday dared beleaguered Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy to move a confidence motion in the state assembly on Monday to prove that his shaky coalition government has a majority.
To clear the air of uncertainty and end the political crisis gripping the southern state since 16 rebel legislators of the ruling Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S) allies resigned from their Assembly seats, Kumaraswamy on Friday told Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar that he was ready to seek a trust vote or face a no-confidence motion if the BJP moves it against him during the 10-day monsoon session till July 26.
DK Shivakumar, Congress said, “I have confidence in all our MLAs. They have been elected from Congress party and they have been there for a long period. They have fought like tigers in their domain.”
He further added, “At the time of the confidence motion, they’re also well-equipped with law. Law is very clear. If they vote against the confidence motion, they’ll lose their membership. Congress party is ready to settle their demands. We’re getting signals that they’ll save our government.”
Rebel Congress MLA MTB Nagaraj was seen leaving for Mumbai from HAL airport. BJP leader R Ashok was also seen at the airport.
Siddaramaiah arrives at Taj to meet the MLAs. Independent MLA R Shankar, Ramesh Jharkoli and two others also left hotel Renaissance, Bengaluru.
CM HD Kumaraswamy goes to Deve Gowda’s residence to discuss the govt’s next move. Siddaramaiah has called for a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting tomorrow.
Rebel Congress MLA MTB Nagaraj arrived at Mumbai airport with BJP leader R Ashok around 1 PM.
“I will request CM HD Kumaraswamy to resign immediately because more than 15 MLAs from JD(S) and Congress and also two independent Ministers have resigned and they have reflected that they will support BJP,” state BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa.
According to the sources, MLA Nagaraj was unhappy with CM Kumaraswamy’s brother Revanna.
A crucial meeting of the top Congress leaders was going at the KK guest house. Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and DK Shivakumar have left the KK guest house.
Yeddyurappa said that the Speaker doesn’t have the right to disqualify anybody.
Karnataka Chief Minister Kumaraswamy and Congress leader DK Shivakumar on Sunday visited Congress Bellary MLA Nagendra in the hospital to check if he came for the trust vote.
While the crisis took a new twist after the Supreme Court asked the Speaker to refrain from taking any action, BSP MLA on Sunday said he would support the ruling Congress-JDS coalition in Karnataka.
