SC orders immediate decision on resignation of rebel MLAs in Ktk; Can't work at lightning speed, says Speaker

Nothwithstanding a Supreme Court order, Karnataka Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar Thursday ruled out any immediate decision on the resignation of rebel MLAs in the crisis-hit ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition, saying he cannot be expected to work at "lightning speed".

As suspense mounted on the Speaker's course of action after 10 dissident MLAs appeared before him following the court order and submitted their resignations afresh for acceptance, Kumar said the letters were in the "right format" but he will have to examine whether they are "voluntary and genuine."
"We request the Speaker to grant an audience to the ten petitioners at the said time. The petitioners, if they so wish and are so inclined, shall intimate the Speaker of the Assembly their decision to resign, in which event, the Speaker shall take a decision forthwith and, in any case, in the course of the remaining part of the day."
Asserting he will abide by rules, Speaker Kumar said he will take a "just decision which may be of convenience to some and inconvenience to some."
"The process is not about who is to be saved and who is to be persecuted. That is not my job as a Speaker,"