The crisis in the HD Kumaraswamy-led Karnataka government continues as more MLAs submits their resignation. The independent legislature H Nagesh who was made a part of the council of ministers last month has decided to withdraw his support to the Janata Dal Secular-Congress.
H Nagesh Asserts His Support To BJP
Nagesh in his letter to the Governor of Karnataka, Vajubhai Vala said, “I withdraw my support to the government headed by Shri HD Kumaraswamy. In view of the same, suitable action may be taken.”
Nagesh has written a second letter in which he has extended unequivocal support to the BJP-led government which may possibly stake a claim to form a government after all this MLA resignation drama. Withdrawal of support from Nagesh implies that the current government will fall short of a majority after the Speaker accepts the resignation submitted by 12 Congress and JDS lawmakers earlier.
Reports indicate that nine of the MLA’s who have submitted their resignations are being appropriated in a luxury hotel in Mumbai to ensure that the existing coalition of JDS-Congress does not succeed in persuading these MLA’s to take back their resignations.
In the case, all the resignations are accepted by the speaker, the coalition which also has support from 1 BSP MLA will have support from only 105 legislators which includes Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar. The BJP also has 105 legislators and with support from Nagesh will have 106 legislators to its side. Still, the party will need 7 more legislators to claim a stake at the formation of the government as the half-way mark is 113.
All the hopes of the Kumaraswamy government now rest on the Speaker who is yet to accept the resignation. The Karnataka Congress MLA ST Somashekhar who is one of the rebels submitting the resignation said that none of the 13 MLAs from his party will withdraw their resignations.
Kumaraswamy Govt. Is not In Red Yet, Says Shivakumar Of Congress
The Congress leader DK Shivakumar has often served as the leading troubleshooter of the coalition government. He said that he is in touch with H Nagesh and that the Kumaraswamy government is yet to come in the red zone. Shivakumar said, “The resignations have to be accepted to make this a minority government.”
The Congress party has planned resignations of all its ministers from the cabinet to create space for the rebel MLAs. Leader of Congress party, Priyank Kharge told media, “Congress ministers have submitted resignations to Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Dinesh Gundu Rao.”
Rajnath Singh Refutes Charges Of Poaching MLAs
Disturbed by this sudden upheaval the senior Congress leaders are now blaming BJP for planning conspiracy to upsurge the Karnataka government of 13 months. However, Defence minister Rajnath Singh has rubbished all these claims saying that his party is not involved in poaching of Karnataka MLAs. Singh added, “Our party has nothing to do with what is happening in Karnataka. Our party has never indulged in horse-trading.”
However, one thing is quite evident that BJP is preparing to stake its claim the moment Kumaraswamy government falls. Karnataka state leader Shobha Karandlaje said, “HD Kumaraswamy should resign immediately. He has lost the majority. Congress MLAs have already resigned. He should make way for another govt.”
She was speaking after having a meeting with BJP party chief in the state, BS Yeddyurappa. Even though she underlined that BJP did not have any hand in the drama of resignation of MLAs, she did welcome H Nagesh in her party.
Karandlaje said, “We welcome Independent MLA Nagesh (who resigned as a minister). We will accept anybody into our party who is from non-political dispensation… We’re not in touch with any rebels of the Congress and JD(S), as long as they are with their parties.”
