Cong puts up brave front, says govt will continue

Amid a flurry of resignations by the ruling combine MLAs, senior congress leader and coalition coordination committee chief Siddaramaiah Saturday asserted that the government in Karnataka would continue, even as the BJP said it had nothing to do with the resignations.

Putting a question mark over the government's survival, 14 MLAs of the ruling JD(S)-Congress alliance in Karnataka have submitted their resignation to the Speaker.

"Fourteen MLAs from Congress and JD(S), including Anand Singh, have submitted resignation from the Assembly to the Speaker...we also brought to matter to the notice of governor," JD(S) MLA A H Vishwanath told reporters after meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala.

Singh submitted his resignation to the Speaker earlier this week.

The BJP, which has come under attack from the combine for allegedly trying to destabilise the government by luring MLAs, clarified that it had nothing to do with the resignation of the legislators.

State BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa said his party would take "appropriate decision at the appropriate time."
Siddaramaiah, who is also the CLP leader said, he will speak to MLAs. "We are trying to contact them.."
Reacting to the development, JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda said, "The ball is in the court of the Speaker..Im also ready to see along with you what will happen next..."
Shivakumar wanted me not to resign but I have already submitted my resignation."
When asked whether he would withdraw his resignation, Reddy said, "Will anyone take the resignation back after submitting it? I will not withdraw."