Rebel Cong-JDS MLAs seek 4-week time from Speaker on disqualification plea

The 15 rebel MLAs of the Congress and the JD(S) have sought four weeks' time to appear beforeSpeaker K R Ramesh Kumar in connection with the plea for their disqualification from the State Assembly.

"Yes, we have sought four weeks' time from the speaker. We have approached the speaker through our advocate," Hunsur JD(S) MLA A H Vishwanath told PTI.

In their letter, whose contents are identical, the disgruntled MLAs, 13 of whom are camping in a Mumbai hotel, said a petition has been filed under Schedule-10 of the Constitution, by the party, seeking their disqualification.

They added that they were not in receipt of the copy of the petition or the documents annexed to it.

Stating they have learnt that their presence has been sought by Wednesday, the MLAs reminded the speaker that at least seven days time should be given to present their case.

Citing the case of Balchandra L Jarkiholi versus B SYeddyurappa in 2011, they requested the speaker to grant them four weeks' time.

The MLAs resigned threatening the existence of the coalition government of the Congress and the JD(S), compelling chief minister H D Kumaraswamy to seek the vote of confidence, which he lost.

The Congress and the JD(S) had sought disqualification of their rebel MLAs under the anti-defection law but they were not deterred by it and skipped the assembly proceedings during the crucial confidence vote Tuesday.

A disqualified member loses seat but can get re-elected to the assembly.