Karnataka Congress minister DK Shivakumar (centre), Milind Deora were detained by Mumbai police outside Renaissance Hotel in Powai.
Karnataka MLA Resign, Karnataka Political Crisis Today Live News Updates: High drama was witnessed outside Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel Wednesday as Congress leader D K Shivakumar, Milind Deora and others were detained and taken away in a police van from outside the Hotel gate. Earlier, Shivakumar was prevented from meeting the 10 dissident JD(S)-Congress legislators who have been staying at the premises since Saturday. The rebels had earlier approached Mumbai Police, saying they felt “threatened” by their state leaders and do not want to meet them in this regard.
The Supreme Court, on the other hand, is likely to take up a plea by the rebels against Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar for not accepting the resignations of the rebel MLAs. Kumar had rejected the resignations of nine of 14 coalition MLAs on the ground that they were not tendered in the correct format. The Speaker has fixed dates over the next six days to meet and interview the five MLAs whose resignations were found to be in order.
The Speaker’s decision gives the Congress-JD(S) combine breathing room to pull the government back from the brink of collapse — if the resignations were accepted, the alliance would have been reduced to a minority of 103 in the 224-member House, after two Independent MLAs, too, withdrew support and tendered resignations Monday.
Karnataka speaker and six-time MLA KR Ramesh Kumar. (File)
The precarious Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka remained on tenterhooks as two more Congress MLAs—MTB Nagaraj and K Sudhakar—submitted their resignations to the Speaker of the Assembly on Wednesday afternoon. The development came amidst high drama in Mumbai where police detained minister D K Shivakumar who was on a mission to woo back a dozen rebels lodged in a luxury hotel. Police detained Congress leaders while they were waiting outside Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel gate to meet the 10 dissident JD(S)-Congress legislators who have been holed up in the premises since Saturday. The rebels had approached the Mumbai police, saying they felt “threatened” by their state leaders and did not wish to meet them in this regard. Read more here
A seven-time legislator, Doddalahalli Kempegowda Shivakumar, popularly known as DKS, has continued to live up to his “proactive and loyal” image as a leader who puts things back in place for his party. Shivakumar braved Mumbai rains on Wednesday, waiting outside Renaissance Hotel to meet ‘his friends’ camping in Mumbai since tendering resignations. He was detained later and released in the evening. Read more here
BJP sources claimed that the resignations of eight MLAs, that were not accepted by Karnataka Assembly Speaker, have been sent by speed post and e-mail to the Speaker today. Also, a person has been sent to Karnataka to personally hand over resignations to Speaker, sources said.
A meeting of Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, KC Venugopal, Mallikarjun Kharge, G Parameshwara, Siddaramaiah, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Eshwara Khandre and others is underway in Karnataka following the resignation of two more MLAs Dr K Sudhakar and MTB Nagaraj. (ANI)
Both MLAs MTB Nagaraj and K Sudhakar -- are considered to be loyalists of former chief minister Siddaramaiah and found places in the coalition government of the Congress-JDS following the intervention of the senior leader. A total of 13 Congress MLAs and three JDS MLAs are among those who have given their resignations. If the resignations are accepted by the Speaker the strength of the coalition will fall to 101 compared to the BJP’s 105 plus two Independents. Read more here
Milind Deora and other Congress leaders have been released . The police is taking Shivakumar to the airport. He’s being forcibly sent back to Bengaluru.
Meanwhile the Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said, "I have not accepted any resignation, I can't do it overnight like that. I have given them time on 17th. I'll go through the procedure and take a decision."
UPDATE: Two more MLAs of the Congress party - MTB Nagaraj, a minister, and K Sudhakar, chairman of the state pollution board - submitted their resignation to the Speaker of the assembly Wednesday. Both MLAs are considered to be loyalists of former chief minister Siddaramaiah and found places in the coalition government of the Congress-JDS following the intervention of the senior leader.
The resignation of the two Congress MLAs takes the total of coalition MLAs who have resigned to 16. The Speaker of the state assembly rejected the resignation of nine MLAs on Tuesday for technical errors in the format of the letter given to the Speaker.
A total of 13 Congress MLAs and three JDS MLAs are among those who have given their resignations. If the resignations are accepted by the Speaker the strength of the coalition will fall to 101 compared to the BJP's 105 plus two Independents.
Former Maharashtra minister Naseem Khan, who had arrived to meet Shivakumar has also been detained alongwith GT Deve Gowda higher education minister of Karnataka, CN Balkrishnan and Shivling Gowda. They have been taken to Mumbai University, Kalina Campus.
Express photo: Prashant Nadkar)
D Shivakumar, Milind Deora along with other workers have been detained by the police. They have been taken away in a police van from outside the Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel gate. Earlier, he was denied entry into the Hotel and prevented from meeting the 10 rebel JD(S)-Congress legislators.
After meeting the Karnataka Governor, Yeddyurappa said, "I requested the Governor to convey to the Speaker that he should take necessary action immediately. Kumaraswamy has no moral right to continue as CM, they don't have the numbers."
As Congress leaders continued to gather, five police vans arrived outside the Mumbai hotel.
JD(S) chief and Former PM H D Deve Gowda arrived to join Congress' protest in Bengaluru.
Mukul Rohatgi, counsel for Karnataka rebel MLAs, told ANI, "The petition has been filed by 10 MLAs. They have resigned voluntarily and they are complaining that the Speaker is not taking an immediate decision and is deliberately delaying it for various reasons."
On MLAs moving Supreme Court against Assembly Speaker, Shivakumar said, "It is not my legal problem. My problem is BJP. My problem is our relationship, out bonding, our unity. We are there for our unity."
On cancellation of his bookings in the hotel, Shivakumar said, "Mumbai is known for its hospitality, other rooms are also there. I want to have a shower. If they don’t give me shower, if they don’t give me anything... the streets of Bombay are there.. hundreds of people come here as settlers. I will also be here as a settler."
"I know them well. This BJP relationship (with the MLAs) is two-three days old but my relationship with them is 40 years. I know them, my heart works with them, my heart is open to them. I know their hearts, I know their feelings, I will win them, I will take them (MLAs to Karnataka)," Shivakumar said.
"We want to have a secular government. I don’t want to trouble anyone. BJP is saying that they are not involved. Their friends are telling that they are not involved either. But here, the former speaker, former home minister of state has come here, met them and taken the letter from them (MLAs) and given it to the police commissioner. And said that they don’t want to meet us," Shivakumar told reporters.
On whether he managed to speak any MLAs, Shivakumar said, "I have tried, I have communicated to them. A lot of people, other legislators who are outside, who have already resigned, spoke to me." He added, "They (The MLAs) are going to call me and speak to me, I will wait till they speak. They can’t go. I will not leave them."
Mumbai Congress president Milind Deora and party leader Sanjay Nirupam arrive outside the hotel where the MLAs are staying.
Taking a swipe at the Maharashtra government, Congress leader in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary said, "Looks like there is a martial law in Maharashtra. A minister (Shivakumar), who has a booking in the hotel (in Mumbai), is not allowed to enter inside."
"People have not forgotten the notoriety of Shivakumar who is apt in handling such issues. It is still fresh in people's minds how he hijacked the legislators from Gujarat and how he gave shelter to legislators from Maharashtra to protect his party's interests and government (back then) there. His notoriety once again came to light last week when he tore resignations of legislators forcing his entry to the speaker's office," Yeddyurappa said.
"On the 12th of July, the Assembly session will begin but if they don't have the numbers, it will be an illegal session. It is not too late, you (Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy) should resign and make way for a BJP government," Yeddyurappa added.
BJP leader Yeddyurappa, who is protesting in Bengaluru, said, "We will meet the Karnataka Assembly Speaker at 3 pm today. The Speaker has still not condemned the tearing up of resignations (of rebel MLAs) by D K Shivakumar. Tearing up of resignations is an 'apradh' that is unforgivable."
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm in the wake of protests against the Karnataka crisis.
After cancelling the booking, Renaissance Hotel in Powai said no charges will be applicable for the booking. The e-mail communication was from the assistant reservation manager to a Ms Hetavi. "As per our conversation we wish to inform you that we have reservation in the name of DK Shivakumar:REZ775665D2. Due to some emergency in the hotel we need to cancel the reservation. No charges will be applicable," the e-mail read.
Addressing reporters outside the Mumbai hotel, Shivakumar said, "I will not go back until I take them back or get to meet them. I am a law-abiding citizen, a lawmaker. I know my responsibility."
Addressing reporters outside the Mumbai hotel, Shivakumar said, "I will not go back until I take them back or get to meet them. I am a law-abiding citizen, a lawmaker. I know my responsibility."
Powai Police has imposed section 144 in and around the Mumbai hotel where the rebel MLAs are staying.
Former Karnataka CM and BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa, along with party leaders, protest outside Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi took note of the submission of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the rebel MLAs, and assured him that it will see whether their petition can be listed for an urgent hearing tomorrow.
Madhya Pradesh Youth Congress chief Ganesh Yadav arrives at the Mumbai hotel to meet Shivakumar.
Rebel Karnataka Congress leader, Ramesh Jarkiholi, told ANI, "We are not interested in meeting him (Shivakumar). No one from BJP is here to meet us."
Rebel Congress leader B Basavaraj told ANI, "We don't intend to insult D K Shivakumar. We have faith in him but there is a reason we have taken this step. Friendship, love and affection are on one side, with gratitude and respect we request him to understand why we cannot meet him today."
"They should be proud of a customer like me. I love Mumbai. I love this hotel. Let them cancel. I have other rooms also. I'll not go without meeting my friends. I can't go by you (rebel Karnataka MLAs not ready to meet him), they'll call me. Their heart will break. I'm in touch already, hearts of both of us are beating," Shivakumar said.
The apex court is likely to hear the plea of the Congress-JD(S) MLAs against the Karnataka Speaker on Thursday.
The Congress and JD(S) leaders, who have resigned from Assembly, have moved the Supreme Court, accusing the Speaker of abandoning his constitutional duty and deliberately delaying the acceptance of their resignations, ANI reported. The apex court will hear the matter tomorrow.
Citing "emergency in hotel", Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel has cancelled Shivakumar's reservation today.
"Nothing is permanent in politics. There are no friends and no enemies. Anyone can turn at any moment. I'm trying to contact them (rebel MLAs). I'll get a call. Their heart is beating to meet their friend," Shivakumar was quoted as saying by ANI.
Amid massive police presence outside the hotel and chanting of slogans "Shivakumar go back", the Congress leader said the police told him that no room was booked in his name. He, however, insisted that he had booked a room in his name in the hotel. "I am not afraid of slogans against me. Not being permitted inside because of security threat. I have a lot of respect for the Maharashtra government. I don't have weapons," he said.
Shivakumar, the Congress troubleshooter, said he will not leave without meeting the MLAs. "I only have a heart that I have come to extend to my friends...politics is an art of possibility," he said.
The Speaker’s decision is likely to stall the Opposition BJP, which has 105 MLAs and the support of two Independents, from staking claim to form government when the Assembly convenes for a session to pass the state Budget on July 12. It also gives the Congress and JD(S) a chance to bring back many of the rebels back into coalition fold with the offer of Cabinet posts.
On Tuesday, in a breather for the precarious Congress-JD(S) coalition government, Karnataka Speaker Kumar rejected the resignations of nine of 14 coalition MLAs on the ground that they were not tendered in the correct format. The Speaker has fixed dates over the next six days to meet and interview the five MLAs whose resignations were found to be in order. The Speaker’s decision gives the Congress-JD(S) combine breathing room to pull the government back from the brink of collapse — if the resignations were accepted, the alliance would have been reduced to a minority of 103 in the 224-member House, after two Independent MLAs, too, withdrew support and tendered resignations Monday.
BJP leader Arvind Limbavali said a party delegation will meet Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala today. "We want the immediate intervention of the Governor and will decide our further course of action after our meeting him and the Speaker," he said.
Late Tuesday night, the 10 rebel MLAs camping in Mumbai since Saturday, approached the police seeking security as they feared that Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Shivakumar would “storm” into the premises and threaten them when they reach Mumbai. In a letter addressed to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, the 10 MLAs said they don’t want to meet their state leaders who are on their way to Mumbai. “Kind request to help us in this matter and do not allow them to enter the hotel premises,” the letter read. Tight security cover — State Reserve Police and Riot Control Units — has been deployed around the hotel after the lawmakers’ letter. Read full story here.
Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa said, "We have decided to sit on dharna in front of Vidhana Soudha. We will meet the Speaker and the Governor."
Police escort Shivakumar away from the gates of the Renaissance Hotel.
After arriving at the Mumbai hotel, Shivakumar said, "I've booked a room here. My friends are staying here. There has been a small problem, we have to hold negotiations. We can't go for a divorce immediately. There is no question of threatening. We love and respect each other."
Security deployed outside Renaissance Hotel where the 10 rebels are holed up.
"Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar will not be allowed inside the hotel where 10 rebel Karnataka Congress-JD(S) MLAs are staying. He will be stopped before the gates of the hotel," Mumbai Police said.
While a huge contingent of force has been deployed outside Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai, Shivakumar, told ANI, "Let Mumbai Police or any other force be deployed. Let them do their duty. We've come to meet our friends. We were born together in politics, we will die together in politics. They are our party men. We have come to meet them."
Karnataka minister D K Shivakumar and JD(S) MLA Shivalinge Gowda arrived in Mumbai this morning.
Congress leader and Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar today arrived in Mumbai to meet the 10 dissident JD(S)-Congress legislators who have been staying at the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai. The rebels, on the other hand, approached Mumbai Police, saying they felt “threatened” by their state leaders and do not want to meet them in this regard. Follow our live blog for all the latest updates.