Cong ministers in K'taka resign voluntarily to enable cabinet reshuffle

In a last-ditch effort to save the 13-month-old Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka which has been hit by resignations of over a dozen MLAs, the Congress Monday said its ministers have resigned voluntarily to enable a reshuffle of the cabinet and make way for the disgruntled legislators.

This decision was taken at a breakfast meeting of Congress ministers at Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara's residence here. The meeting was attended by CLP leader Siddaramaiah and AICC general secretary K C Venugopal among others.

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy held discussions with Congress leaders after the meeting.

"For the larger interest of the party, yesterday and today, we had detailed discussions with senior leaders and ministers. Today morning, we met the ministers. In the prevailing condition, the ministers themselves voluntarily resigned ministership as far as the Congress ministers are concerned," Venugopal said after the meeting.

Speaking to reporters, he said, "They have left it to the Congress party to take the necessary decision to reshuffle the cabinet to settle the issues in the present scenario. I sincerely thank the ministers."
He said the Congress will "strongly" face this situation, adding, "We strongly believe in the strength of the party in Karnataka and are confident this government will continue."