Karnataka crisis: Cong seeks disqualification of rebel MLAs; one more quits

Fighting to save the coalition government in Karnataka, the Congress Tuesday sought the assembly Speaker's intervention in disqualifying its rebel legislators and accused the BJP of using money power to lure its members after another MLA quit the party.

In a counter offensive after 13 MLAs resigned Saturday dealing a blow to the 13-month-old government, a delegation of Congress leaders met Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar and submitted the petition seeking, under the anti-defection law, disqualification of the rebel legislators in line with the decision taken at a meeting of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Tuesday.

The move comes a day after all the ministers in the Congress-JDS coalition government resigned, paving the way for a cabinet reshuffle to accommodate disgruntled legislators.

Even as the CLP took the decision to petition the Speaker, party's Shivajinagar MLA R Roshan Baig, who was suspended recently for alleged anti-party activities, put in his papers.

"Today I have submitted my resignation from the Karnataka Assembly to the Speaker," Baig told reporters here, three days after 13 MLAs -- 10 of Congress and three of JDS -- quit from the government headed by H D Kumaraswamy.

The rebel MLAs, camping in Maharashtra, however, appeared undeterred by the Congress's disqualification move and said there was no question of them withdrawing resignations.

"There is no question of us withdrawing resignation. We have resigned voluntarily and have not indulged in any anti-party activity," Congress MLA S T Somasekhar told reporters.

Two other rebel MLAs - Ramesh Jarkiholi and Byrati Basavaraj -- also echoed similar views.

Briefing media after meeting the Speaker, state Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao said according to the CLP decision, they submitted the petition seeking action against the MLAs "who have resigned and have joined hands with the BJP to bring down the government".

The anti-defection law applies to them, he claimed, adding further action will be taken by the Speaker. "I hope that they will be disqualified to save democracy."
Noting that the act of MLAs attracted provisions of the anti-defection law, Siddaramaiah said along with disqualification, "we have also requested that they should not be allowed to contest election for six years. I hope the Speaker will act according to the provisions of the act."
Alleging that BJP was luring the MLAs with money, he questioned "where did the money come from? With money power and political power they are trying to destabilise the government."