Speaker accepts rebel MLAs' resignation after high drama

Thirteen MLAs met the Speaker in his office at Vidhan Soudha, the State secretariat, this morning and tendered their resignations from the Assembly membership in person, several hours after which they were accepted.

The resignation of Vittala Katakadonda was not accepted for technical reasons, sources in the Speaker's office said as the drama played out a day after the BJP submitted through two of his MLAs a petition to the Speaker's office seeking disqualification of the 12 MLAs for 'anti-party' activities.

The development coming ahead of the budget session of the Legislature beginning on February 4, would not upset the six-month-old Shettar ministry as the effective strength of the 224-member House has been reduced with 12 more seats falling vacant in addition to the two earlier.

With the acceptance of resignation of 12 MLAs, the BJP now has a strength of 105, Congress 71, JDS 26, independents seven (one of whom is supporting the Government and is in the Ministry) and the Speaker.

After the resignations were submitted in the morning, the Assembly Secretary P Omprakasha issued a statement announcing acceptance of resignation of one of the MLAs, Thippeswamy, even as suspense remained over the fate of others'.

The remaining 12 MLAs stayed put in the Speaker's office insisting that their resignations be accepted. One of them, B P Harish, told reporters that the Speaker was seeking legal opinion with regard to their resignations. (MORE)