Kumaraswamy Government in Karnataka Under Threat: 2 Congress MLAs quit Assembly

Bengaluru: In a fresh setback to the HD Kumaraswamy coalition government in Karnataka, two Congress MLAs on Monday resigned from the state Assembly, reducing the party's strength to 78 in the 225-member House.

Congress MLA from Vijayanagar Anand Singh and MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi from Gokak in Belagavi district submitted their resignation letters to the Assembly Speaker.

"Yes. I have resigned. Today morning, I submitted the resignation," Anand Singh said. The MLA refused to disclose the reason behind his step. He said he will meet Governor Vajubhai Vala and inform him about his decision.

Recently, Anand Singh had held a press conference in Bellary against the sale of 3,667 acres of land to JSW Steel in which he had hinted that he would step down. It is speculated that he would join the BJP.

When told that Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar was yet to confirm his resignation, he said, "Is it so? Then I will resign again."

The Speaker, however, denied having received any resignation.

"I have not received any resignation. Nobody had approached me to give me any resignation," he said.

Taking to twitter, JD(S) leader and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who is presently in the US, said he was aware of the political developments in the state.

"The foundation laying of Kalabhairaveshwara Temple is going on at New Jersey under the aegis of Swamiji. I am watching all the developments from here. BJP is daydreaming to destabilise the government," he tweeted.

Reports were rife that at least six more MLAs from the Congress would also rebel against their party.