K'taka minister, MLA submit resignations to Assembly Speaker

In a fresh jolt to the wobbly Congress-JDS coalition government in Karnataka, two Congress legislators, Housing minister M T B Nagaraj and K Sudhakar, tendered their resignations Wednesday to the Speaker, taking the number of disgruntled MLAs who have quit to 16.

The development comes even as D K Shivakumar, state water resources minister, the Congress' troubleshooter, was detained and sent packing back to Bengaluru from Mumbai, where he was prevented by police from meeting the rebel MLAs.

The coalition faces the threat of losing majority in the Assembly if the resignations are accepted as its current tally is 116 in the 224-member House.

Nagaraj and Sudhakar submitted their resignations to Speaker Ramesh Kumar at his chamber in Vidhana Soudha, the State secretariat.

In the midst of these developments, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has convened a cabinet meeting at 11 am Thursday.

Confirming the resignations, Kumar told reporters, "Yes, Sudhakar and M T B Nagaraj have resigned.

Soon after submitting his resignation Nagaraj went and met Governor Vajubhai Vala, informing him about his decision.

On the other hand, high drama prevailed when Sudhakar came out of the Speaker's office after tendering his resignation.

Angry Congress leaders, including social welfare minister Priyank Kharge surrounded him, demanding that he withdraw his resignation, but he did not relent.

BJP workers staged a demonstration outside the secretariat, demanding that Sudhakar be allowed to leave and entered into an altercation with congress leaders.

Later, Sudhakar was escorted to the Raj Bhavan with full police protection.

After meeting the governor, Sudhakar said, he and Nagraj have resigned "voluntarily" and with "full conscience."
Stating that they have requested Speaker to accept the resignation, he said, "Speaker has given us time on July 17 to appear before him for further process."
Nagaraj has met the governor while Sudhakar was not allowed to go out. He has been confined in a room. This is goondaism."
Even ministers of the ruling government are visiting their premises and threatening them for their act (resigning)."
As a CLP leader I was talking to him.What made BJP create a ruckus like that.to do rowdyism? BJP MLAs and workers are rowdies. They have taken law into their hands. I condemn it."