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Journalism of Courage
The Congress JDS coalition in Karnataka slipped to the brink of a collapse on Saturday with 13 Congress and JDS MLAs expressing intent to resign and meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala. The resignations hang in the balance since it was not presented directly to the Speaker of the state assembly as mandated under the anti-defection law. The office of the Speaker has asked the MLAs to meet him on Tuesday for formal submission of the resignations.
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With many of the 14 MLAs being legislators who are cut up over not being given cabinet berths, the coalition government could temporarily avert the crisis by offering sops to the unhappy ones.
The crisis has occurred on the eve of Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy’s return from the US after a week long semi-official visit.
The MLAs who have expressed intent to resign are H Vishwanath (JDS), B C Patil, K Gopalaiah (JDS), Mahesh Kumatahalli, Ramesh Jharkiholi, Shivaram Hebbar, Prathapgouda Patil, K C Narayana Gouda (JDS), Ramalinga Reddy, Byrathi Basavaraj, Munirathna, S T Somashekhar and Anand Singh.
The MLAs are from pro and anti-Siddaramaiah groups as well as pro and anti-Kumaraswamy groups. The composition of the group of rebel MLAs suggests an attempt to extract concessions and favours from those controlling the Congress-JDS government, including possibly ministerial posts.
