Karnataka: Efforts intensify to reach out rebel MLAs by ruling coalition

A day after Karnataka Chief Minister H.D.Kumaraswamy made a surprise announcement in the Assembly that he would seek a trust vote, efforts have intensified to reach out to the dissident legislators by the leaders of the ruling coalition.

Deputy Chief Minister G.Parameshwara and Water Resource Minister DK Shivakumar met the Housing Minister M.T.B.Nagaraj at his residence this morning today and requested him to withdraw his resignation letter submitted to the Speaker.

After the meeting, Nagaraj, however, said that he needs time to think about the withdrawal of his resignation. Similar attempts are also



being made by the Congress leaders to convince MLAs Ramalinga Reddy, Munirathna and Roshan Baig.

Sources in JD(S) said Chief Minister Kumaraswamy is in direct contact with at least Four Congress legislators, who have resigned and was hopeful that they would withdraw their resignations.

In a bid to keep the MLAs together and safe from poaching, BJP, Congress and JD(S) MLAs have been kept in different resorts near Bengaluru.

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the Speaker to maintain status quo on the resignations of 10 rebel MLAs belonging to the Congress -JDS coalition till July 16.