Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jul 14: Amid the crisis triggered by the resignation of 16 Congress and JDS MLAs, Kumaraswamy in the assembly earlier on Friday said he would prove the majority of his government on the floor of the House and asked Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to fix the time for it.

On the Supreme Court Friday restraining the Speaker from taking any decision on the resignation and disqualification of 10 MLAs till Tuesday, Yeddyurappa said it has come as a morale booster to the rebels who were 'satisfied' with the order. BJP on Friday decided to move its MLAs to a resort near here amid fears of poaching bid by the ruling Congress-JDS combine after CM announced he would seek a trust vote in the assembly despite the resignation by rebel legislators.

The HD Kumaraswamy-led Karnataka coalition, which came to power in May last year, is hanging on to power by the fingernails after 18 resignations since last week. The coalition's 118 members will come down to 100 and the majority mark will drop from 113 to 105. The BJP has 105 members and the support of the two Independents, which takes its tally to 107.

Here are the live updates:

14-07-2019

6.37 pm - The JD(S) rejects Congress offer to replace CM - The JD(S) leadership has rejected the Congress offer to replace chief minister H D Kumaraswamy with a Congress leader as a solution to the crisis. 

10. 07 am - State BJP chief BSY clarifies on rumours of Lakshmi Hebbalkar joining the BJP, says there’s no possibility of the Congress leader joining the party as the rebels camping in Mumbai were irked with her. 

10.06 am - Congress MLAs are reportedly being monitored to make sure no MLAs resign or contact BJP leaders. 

10.05 am - Siddaramaiah likely to meet rebel MLA Dr Sudhakar K today to pacify him. 

10.01 am - BJP MLA Renukacharya slams CM H D Kumaraswamy, says he should resign. He adds that the CM is dreaming of winning trust vote. 

BJP MLA Renukacharya 

10.00 am - BJP MLA Renukacharya hits out at Congress-JD(S), says the coalition leaders are trying to threaten and kidnap BJP MLAs. 

9.18 am - With Congress, busy fire-fighting in Karnataka and Goa, the selection of new party chief to succeed outgoing president Rahul Gandhi appears to have taken a backseat.

9.15 am - CM H D Kumaraswamy instils confidence within JD(S) MLAs, says those who have resigned will return to the party. 

8.07 am - Senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy said he would attend the Assembly session on Monday. "I have to attend a hearing of the Speaker over my resignation on Monday. Till then, I will not comment on any political development," he said.

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Reddy's return, sources say, will have a bearing on other Bengaluru MLAs who have resigned - ST Somashekhar, Munirathna and Byrati Basavaraj. Also, the party is trying to convince another senior MLA R Roshan Baig.

13-7-2019

9.16 pm - Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy, rebel Congress MLA MTB Nagaraj, and Congress leader Zameer Ahmed Khan get together at the residence of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah's residence in Bengaluru.

6.56 pm - The Opposition BJP wants CM HD Kumaraswamy to move the confidence motion on July 15, which precedes the Supreme Court’s next hearing on the petition rebel MLAs have filed on their resignation.

3.33 pm - Rebel Congress MLA MTB Nagaraj met Congress legislative party leader Siddaramaiah, at the latter's residence. Congress MLA Zameer Khan was also present.

1.50 pm - Five more rebel Karnataka Congress MLAs including Anand Singh and Roshan Baig have also moved Supreme Court against the assembly Speaker not accepting their resignations.

1.40 pm - R Shankar and H Nagesh, the Independent MLAs, who took back their support from the Congress-JDS Government have reportedly written a letter to the Speaker asking him to arrange their seating in the opposition benches in the Assembly.

1.27 pm - Rebel Cong MLA MTB Nagaraj arrives to meet Siddaramaiah at latter's residence. MTB Nagaraj had earlier met Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and DK Shivakumar. 

12.30 pm - "Situation was such that we submitted our resignations but now DK Shivakumar and others came and requested us to withdraw resignations, I will speak to K Sudhakar Rao and then see what is to be done, after all I have spent decades in Congress," says rebel Congress MLA MTB Nagaraj. 

11.45 am - "We should live together and die together because we have worked for 40 years for the party, there are ups and downs in every family. We should forget everything and move forward. Happy that MTB Nagaraj(rebel MLA) has assured us he will stay with us," minister D K Shivakumar.

10.30 am - Rebel Congress and JD(S) MLs, who are currently holed in Mumbai, have indicated that they will not attend the assembly session, although chief minister HD Kumaraswamy has called for a trust vote. The MLAs claim that since they have already resigned and have appeared before speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Thursday evening, they no longer are members of the House.

9.45 am - Minister DK Shivakumar visited the residence of minister MTB Nagaraj overnight, who recently resigned from his post, to convince Nagaraj to reconsider his decision.  

12-7-2019

9.28 pm - Siddaramaiah will contact rebel MLAs in Mumbai over the phone to convince them to withdraw their resignations. CLP leader to contact the rebel MLAs tomorrow. 

9.15 pm - Congress moves its MLAs to Taj Yeshwantpur in Bengaluru. 

8.30 pm - BJP MLAs camp in two different resorts. BJP leaders have booked rooms in Ramada resort & Sai Leela hotel in Rajankunte. 

8.15 pm - Rebel MLAs are to continue their temple run tomorrow. Rebel MLAs to visit Shirdi and Shani Shingnapur temple. 

7.15 pm - JD(S) MLAs reach prestige Golfshire resort in Devanahalli. MLAs are scheduled to stay at resort till Monday. CM H D Kumaraswamy to meet JD(S) MLAs tonight.

7.12 pm -Few Congress MLAs are likely to be shifted to Taj Vivanta to avoid poaching.

7.10 pm - Coalition leaders planning to woo 4 rebel MLAs. CM H D Kumaraswamy planning to pacify Ramalinga Reddy, AnandSingh & Roshan Baig. DK brothers assure HDK that they will convince MLA Munirathna to take back his resignation. 

6.10 pm - Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy claims that he has strong evidence on  Operation Kamala this time. Op Kamala had reportedly stopped after an audio CD was released. 

5.45 pm - Chief Minister holds a meeting with Congress leaders at Kumara Krupa Guesthouse. K C Venugopal and Dinesh Gundu Rao present in the meeting. 

5.35 pm - Speaker to move motion of confidence on Wednesday - After receiving the official request for from chief minister office, Speaker is expected to hold floor test on Wednesday, TV reports say.

5.07 pm - Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “We are confident that is why we are moving the vote of confidence. BJP should have moved a no-confidence motion but they know they have black sheeps (in their party) that is why they are moving MLAs to resort. We are not doing any Operation Kamala.”

4.50 pm - Yeddyurappa said, “The Supreme Court order is favourable for the MLAs and it came as a relief. We will wait for July 16th.” The apex court has given the Speaker time to decide on resignations till the next hearing on Tuesday.

3.58 pm - BJP to move its MLAs to Ramada Hotel in Bengaluru. 

3.45 pm - "The chief minister (HD Kumaraswamy) has spoken his mind that he would not cling to power amid the confusion. He said he will seek the trust of the House. Whenever he tells me that he wants to move the trust motion, the very next day I will put it in the business of the day," Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar told media. 

3.06 pm - Congress to move its MLAs to Clarks Exotica Convention Resorts in Bengaluru, after the Assembly proceedings.

2.55 pm - We are going back to the Mumbai hotel. We are together. We all are united, said the rebel MLAs adding that they tendered their resignation and returned to Mumbai. They are waiting for the SC order on Tuesday.

1.30 pm - "Today there are many things happening in our state's politics because of the decisions of many MLAs, which has created a difficult situation. I am not here to sit in power, I appeal to you that in light of the developments I want to move a trust motion," said CM. 

1.24 pm - "After all these developments, I am seeking your permission and time to prove the majority in this session," says CM HD Kumaraswamy in Vidhana Soudha. 

1.19 pm - The Supreme Court said that it first needs to be examined if Speaker needs to decide disqualification. It also requires to be ascertained if the Speaker yesterday sent back the disqualification petitions. SC has also ordered status quo with regard to resignation and disqualification of 10 MLAs. The matter will be heard next on Tuesday.

1.16 pm - The Supreme Court has dictated its order on the issue. The Supreme Court observed that various issues of interpretation of the constitutional provisions arose in this case. The SC adds question of judicial interfere also comes up.

1.01 pm - Speaker Ramesh Kumar tells Supreme Court that he was never absconding. He rejected the allegations that he escaped when the MLAs went to meet him. Videography of yesterday’s meeting between the speaker and the rebel MLAs is to be presented before the Supreme Court.

12.45 pm - Expressing confidence that the government would survive, the cabinet that met under the leadership of Kumaraswamy said it was ready to face a no-confidence motion if moved by the opposition BJP.

12.35 pm - The Supreme Court has begun hearing the Karnataka political row. Appearing for the 10 rebel MLAs, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi said that the resignation letters are one-liners and yet the speaker needs a whole night to study it. He said that if the speaker needs time till Monday, he should be given, but meanwhile the MLAs should not be disqualified.

12.06 pm - Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy's Tweet late in the night, said, "Congress -JDS coalition in the state is going strong despite the efforts to destabilize. We are confident and prepared for a smooth and fruitful conduct of legislative sessions.

Congress -JDS coalition in the state is going strong despite the efforts to destabilize. We are confident and prepared for a smooth and fruitful conduct of legislative sessions.
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— H D Kumaraswamy (@hd_kumaraswamy) 11 July 2019

11.51 am - Talking about Karnataka Assembly session beginning today, BS Yeddyurappa, state chief of BJP, said, “We will give a whip to attend the session from today to the end of this month.”

11.18 am - Minister H D Revanna on Friday said that Kumaraswamy has the blessings of goddess Chamundeshwari Devi and he will continue as the chief minister.

10.45 am - Rebel MLAs Anand Singh, Pratapgouda Patil and Narayana Gowda are slated to meet Speaker KR Ramesh later today at 3:00 pm in person.

9.30 am - Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said, “I am answerable to the Constitution of India and people of Karnataka. As per the Constitution, if I am satisfied, then the resignations will be accepted". He added
that he will communicate to the Supreme Court on Friday that he has acted upon the matter as per the law and in compliance with its order issued yesterday.

8.50 am - Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar has given appointment to three of the five MLAs whose resignations were in the prescribed format at 4:00 pm on Friday.

8.09 am - Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said, “They (rebel MLAs) told me that some people had threatened them and they went to Mumbai in fear. But I told them that they should have approached me and I
would have given them protection.” The speaker added that only three working days have elapsed but they behaved like an earthquake occurred. He also said he needs to examine the resignations submitted
by rebel MLAs and check whether the letters are genuine. Kumar added that he was hurt over reports that he is delaying the resignation process of the rebel MLAs saying, “It is not (his) job to save anyone.”

8.05 am - CM HD Kumaraswamy says, “Congress-JDS coalition in the state is going strong despite the efforts to destabilize. We are confident and prepared for a smooth and fruitful conduct of legislative
sessions.”

8.00 am - The rebel MLAs returned to Hotel Renaissance in Mumbai late night on Thusrday.They met Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar in Bengaluru yesterday after they were directed by Supreme Court to meet
the Speaker at 6 pm and resubmit their resignations.

7.15 am - Congress MLA Roshan Baig meets Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy at Taj West End on Thursday. CM tried to pacify Shivajinagar MLA to withdraw his resignation.

11-7-2019

9.45 pm -  After the Congress, the JD(S) Thursday said the party too has approached the Assembly Speaker seeking disqualification of three of its legislators, who are among the 16 MLAs who have resigned, pushing the HD Kumaraswamy-led coalition government to the brink of collapse.

8.15 pm - The Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar said eight of the 13 resignation letters that was submitted was not in the prescribed format. He also said that he wasn't responsible for the current political situation nor its outcome.

8.13 pm - If Resignations are Accepted, Proceedings of Disqualifications are Nullified: Speaker.

The Supreme Court has been very careful in their words. They have asked me to grant an audience to the MLAs and accept their resignations. If resignations are accepted, proceedings of disqualifications are nullified. If I hurriedly complete one process, I will be doing injustice. I want to go with my conscience: Karnataka Speaker.

8.00 pm - The Speaker himself is behaving unconstitutionally and undemocratically. The Speaker has colluded with Congress and JD(S). Constitutionally he has to accept their resignation, BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje said. She further asked, "What is the Speaker’s problem if the MLAs are resigning?" Her comment comes minutes after the Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar briefed the media about the resignations submitted by the rebel MLAs.

7.22 pm - Have videographed everything for SC: Speaker

7.20 am - 8 letters weren't in prescribed format: Speaker- "On Monday, scrutinized resignations based on rule202, K'taka Assembly Rules&Procedures. 8 letters weren't in prescribed format. In case of the rest, I'm obliged to look if resignations are voluntary&genuine. Won't speak about voluntary & genuine nature of resignations," he said.

7.18 am - Not trying to delay process: Speaker - "I felt hurt when I saw some news that I am delaying the process. Governor informed me on 6th. I was in office till then and later I left for personal work. Before that no MLAs informed that they were coming to meet me," said the Speaker. 

7.11 pm - It's not my duty to retain or let go anybody: Assembly speaker. 

7.10 pm - Addressing the media after the meeting with the rebel MLAs, Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar said, “I was not aware of the developments. The MLAs came to my office after I left, that day (when the MLAs came to submit the resignation). The eight resignations submitted was not in a prescribed format."

6.48 pm - Eleven Rebel MLAs—Ramesh Jarkiholi, Byrati Basavraju, BC Patil, Gopalaiah, Shivaram Hebbar, ST Somashekar, Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, Pratha Gowda Patil, Mahesh Kumatali, Munirathna—of the Congress JD(S) coalition government are meeting with the Karnataka Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar.

6.22 pm - The rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs meet the Speaker in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru.

6.10 pm - Speaker to address media at 7.00 pm.

6.04 pm - Disgruntled MLAs reach Speaker’s office as per SC order.

#WATCH Karnataka: Rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs reach Speaker's office in Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru. pic.twitter.com/K3U8k8BmAo

— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2019

5.45 pm - The Janata Dal (Secular) has filed a disqualification petition against their three rebel MLAs - Narayan Gowda, Gopalaiah, and H Vishwanath - who have submitted their resignations.

5.38 pm - Rebel MLAs are being escorted to Vidhana Soudha by police. 

5.16 pm - Ready to Face No-Confidence Motion: Kumaraswamy. Expressing confidence that the government would survive, the cabinet that met under the leadership of Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said it was ready to face a no-confidence motion if moved by the opposition BJP. 

5.02 pm - Rebel MLAs to arrive at Bengaluru at 5.10 pm. Sixteen MLAs, who were staying at a luxury hotel in Mumbai, flew back to Bengaluru today afternoon to meet the Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar. The legislators boarded a special flight to the Karnataka capital at 2.50 pm.

4.31 pm - Ahead of his meeting with the disgruntled Congress and JD(S) MLAs, Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said the legislators approaching the Supreme Court made things appear 'murky'. "I had not prevented them (disgruntled MLAs) from coming (to my office). I do not know why they moved the Supreme Court to meet me," Kumar told reporters outside the Vidhana Soudha. 

3.09 pm - Rebel MLA Byrathi Basavaraj says,  "We respect the Supreme Court's directives. We will meet the Speaker today itself by 4 pm and tender our resignations. We will not withdraw our resignations." He further adds, "The BJP is not behind our decision. It has nothing to do with the BJP."

2.26 pm - Let the MLAs submit their resignations if they so wish, says Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.

2.16 pm - Speaker Ramesh Kumar moves the SC saying that he will be unable to verify whether all the resignations are authentic and voluntary within the time limit stipulated by the Court. The SC has declined the Speaker's plea to be heard on an urgent basis.

13.44 pm - ST Somashekar speaks to media - Since last 3 days they became active to solve our issues. Why did they not care about us before? You imposed an IAS officer on Bengaluru Development Authority to scrutinise me as I am the BDA president.  When you (govt) take such decisions, we don't need this government.

13.35 pm - Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy responded to reporters saying that when in 2009-2010 18 members of the BS Yeddyurappa had opposed him, he had not resigned. "What is the necessity for me to resign now?" he reiterated.

13.24 pm - Two more rebel MLAs from Karnataka joined their dissident colleagues, who are staying at a hotel in Mumbai, on Thursday, says sources. 

12.58 pm - Karnataka MLAs who were staying in a Mumbai hotel are expected to fly back to Bengaluru at 2 pm, ahead of the 6 pm deadline given by the Supreme Court to meet the Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar.

12.06 pm - Congress leader DK Shivakumar says that he is confident that the rebel MLAs will withdraw there resignations soon. 

12.03 pm - Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah has recommended Speaker KR Ramesh to disqualify Ramesh Jarkiholi, Mahesh Kumathalli,Anand Singh and Pratapgouda Patil for anti-party activities. KR Ramesh has reportedly asked the aforementioned MLAs to meet at his office in Vidhana Soudha on July 12.

11.35 am - Court ordered the DGP of Karnataka to provide protection to all the rebel MLAs and adjourned the hearing for tomorrow (July 12). Rebel MLAs' counsel Mukul Rohatgi says, "The rebels will fly from Mumbai to Bengaluru."

11.20 am - The SC has asked the MLAs to appear before the Speaker by 6 pm today. It also asks Speaker to "not sit over it" but give decision today itself. The apex court also asked the Speaker to intimate his decision to it as soon as possible. The proceedings will continue tomorrow.

11.03 am - Minister DK Shivakumar who waited outside the Rennaisance Hotel in Mumbai for 6 hours yesterday in the hope to meet the rebel MLAs, and was later detained says that he will seek legal aid to protect his rights.

10.35 am - Bengaluru Police Commissioner Alok Kumar has issued prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, restricting the gathering of more than five persons and any form of protests within the two-km area around the Vidhana Soudha. The decision comes after the Gandhi statue outside the Bengaluru Assembly became the site of protests in the midst of political upheaval in the state. The prohibitory orders came into effect on Thursday, when Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy is also expected to hold a meeting after a total of 16 MLAs of the Congress and JD(S) resigned.

10-7-2019

9.10 pm - Cabinet meeting to be held tomorrow at 11 am.

8.03 pm - The Supreme Court decided to accord urgent hearing tomorrow to a petition filed by 10 rebel MLAs of Congress and JD(S) alleging that the Karnataka Assembly Speaker was not accepting their resignations deliberately. The plea, which has sought direction for the Speaker to accept the resignation of these MLAs, would be heard by a bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose.

8.00 pm - Priyank Kharge tweets, "Contrary to media reports, MLA Sudhakar was not manhandled by anyone. He is a friend of mine and I requested him to speak to PCC President in private for which he obliged. BJP as usual twisting facts to use this as fodder for their shameful #OperationKamala." 

7.00 pm -Chikkaballapur MLA Dr K Sudhakar and MTB Nagaraj are likely to head to Mumbai after meeting Governor.

6.59 pm - H D Kumaraswamy likely to resign as CM by tomorrow and extend his support to Congress to form govt in the state. HDK to meet H D Devegowda shortly: TV reports. 

6. 45 pm - Congress leaders in a complaint to the Senior Inspector of Police, Mumbai said, "Eight MLAs of the Indian National Congress, who are the members of the Karnataka Assembly, are being wrongfully confined at the Renaissance Hotel in Powai." 

6.25 pm - MLA Sudhakar, who was held captive at KG George's chamber, escorted out by police.

6.05 pm - Confident that MLAs Will Come Back: Shivakumar | Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar in Mumbai: I am still confident that all of them will come back. Congress-JD(S) government which is there will be safe. None of them is leaving the party.

5.59 pm - As BJP workers stage protest outside Congress MLA KJ George’s chamber, Karnataka Home Minister MB Patil arrives at KJ George’s chamber. A tussle broke out between media and cops outside his chamber. Sudhakar is held captive in KJ George’s chamber.

5. 51 pm - BJP leaders head towards Vidhana Soudha to demand Congress to release Chikkaballapur MLA Dr K Sudhakar. 

5.50 pm - Shivakumar, Milind Deora Out of Detention | DK Shivakumar, Milind Deora are out of detention. “I was denied my basic civil rights... Shame on the system, no one should misuse the law,” said DK Shivakumar. He also said that he was to leave to Bengaluru.

5.00 pm - Scuffle outside the Karnataka Speaker’s office after many Congress MLAs, including Priyank Kharge and Dinesh Gundurao, manhandled the rebel MLA K Sudhakar.

4.48 pm - Speaker Ramesh Kumar confirmed receiving resignation letters from Dr K Sudhakar and MTB Nagaraj. "I have asked them to meet me in person on 17 July for actual reasons for their decision to quit their Assembly seat," he said. Speculations are rife Anjali Nimbalkar, Ramalinga Reddy's daughter Sowmya and Ganesh Hukkeri are expected to submit their resignation soon.

4.27 pm - Congress Dr K Sudhakar (Chikkaballapur) and MTB Nagaraj (Hoskote) submit resignation, say TV reports.

4.19 pm - Rebel MLAs resigned by their own choice, not coaxed do it. Yeddyurappa urges Speaker KR Ramesh to fast track the resignation without any bias, say TV reports.

4.12 pm - A BJP delegation, including Yeddyurappa, arrives at the chamber of the Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar, at Vidhana Soudha.

3:45 pm - Yeddyurappa's letter to the Governor reads, "As the present coalition government headed by HD Kumaraswamy has lost majority and moral right to continue in the office. Prima facie the government has no numbers45

3.26 pm - BJP delegation meets Speaker Ramesh Kumar at his office over the ongoing political drama in state.

3.10 pm - Minister DK Shivakumar and other Congress leaders who were detained, are being taken to Kalina University rest house. 

3.02 pm - "We are sure of saving the government. The Centre and the governor's office is trying to pull the govt down. It is the Speaker, who has to deal with the MLAs and not the Governor. This is not the first time that the Centre has tried to topple an elected government," says Ghulam Nabi Azad.

2.59 pm - Congress leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad detained while protesting near Raj Bhawan in Bengaluru.

2.46 pm - As Minister Shivakumar refused to budge from outside Hotel Renaissance, where the rebel MLAs are camping, he was detained by the Mumbai Police. Congress leaders Milind Deora and Naseem Khan were also detained and taken to the Powai police station.Section 144 had been imposed in the area.

2.25 pm - After meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala, BS Yeddyurappa says, "I requested the Governor to convey to Speaker that he should take necessary action immediately. Kumaraswamy has no moral right to continue as Chief Minister, they don't have the numbers." He further says, "BJP has the numbers. And the Speaker is unnecessarily delaying the process."

2.18 pm - JD(S) Chief and Former PM H D Deve Gowda arrives at Congress protest site in Bengaluru, meets Ghulam Nabi Azad. Siddaramaiah and KC Venugopal also present.

1.35 pm - A day after Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar rejected 9 out if 14 resignations, the rebel MLAs have sent their resignations again. They sent it this time via speedpost.

12.33 pm - B S Yeddyurappa in Bengaluru, says, "We will meet Speaker Ramesh Kumar at 3 pm today. Speaker has still not condemned tearing up of resignations (of rebel MLAs) by DK Shivakumar."

11.46 am - 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. 

11.43 am - BJP leaders protest outside the Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru

11.42 am  - Congress top brass is holding a meeting in Bengaluru. Eshwar Khandre, KC Venugopal, Gulam Nabi Azad, Dinesh Gundu Rao, G Parameshwara are attending the meeting at the KK Guest House in the city.

11:21 am - Rebel Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi says, "We are not interested in meeting him (DK Shivakumar). No one from BJP is here to meet us."

11.10 am - "We don't intend to insult DK Shivakumar. We've 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," says rebel Congress leader, B Basavaraj.

11.03 am - "They should be proud of a customer like me. I love Mumbai. I love this hotel. Let them cancel. I have other rooms also," Shivakumar on Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel cancelling his booking.

10.54 am - Rebel MLAs move Supreme Court accusing the Speaker of abandoning his constitutional duty and deliberately delaying acceptance of their resignations. Supreme Court to hear the matter tomorrow.

10:34 am - D K Shivakumar’s booking at Hotel Renaissance in Mumbai has been cancelled. However, he remains positive of resolving the issues with the rebel MLAs. “I am expecting a call from the MLAs. Their heart is beating to meet me. They will either have to meet me here or else they will have to come to Bengaluru," he tells media. 

10.21 am - The rebel MLAs are likely to move the Supreme Court against the Speaker Ramesh Kumar today alleging that he has failed in his constitutional duty and he is wrongfully not accepting their resignations. The matter is likely to be mentioned before the Chief Justice of India at 10.30 am.

10:10 am - "The hotel management has asked the cops to not allow us inside. We have booked a room. We have also shown them the details. Cops are telling us that hotel management has told us not to let us in. R Ashok and Bopaiah came here last night and arranged everything. BJP is in power here, BJP wants to come to power in Karnataka. They are trying from a year. We dont know what they have offered to the MLAs.We are not here to threaten them. We are here to meet them.. if we do something to them then take action against us. We have only come to speak to them," says JD(S) MLA Shivalinge Gowda.

10:00 am - “D K Shivakumar is lying. He is doing drama. We had informed him earlier that we don't want to meet him. We have only resigned from our posts and not from Congress. What does he mean that he is our friend? This has been going on for over a year, where was he then?” says rebel Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi.

9.12 am - “Mumbai police are good hosts they are calling me to stay at another guest house. Everything is cool, there is no tension. We are waiting to go inside," said D K Shivakumar to media.

9:10 am - “The police is not allowing us to enter. MLAs are not afraid. But BJP leaders are allowed to enter the hotel, how?” says JD(S) leader G T Devegowda, who is in Mumbai along with Shivakumar.

8.55 am - Police escorts minister DK Shivakumar away from the gates of Renaissance - Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel

8:13 am - Minister D K 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, says Mumbai police

8:10 am - Have come to meet friends, say D K Shivakumar in Mumbai

7:58 am - Minister D K Shivakumar and JD(S) MLA Shivalinge Gowda arrive in Mumbai

6.00 am - Ten rebel Karnataka Congress-JD(S) MLAs write to Mumbai Commissioner of Police stating, "We are staying at Hotel Renaissance Powai in Mumbai, we have heard HD Kumaraswamy and DK Shivakumar are going to storm the hotel, we feel threatened. Do not allow them to enter hotel premises"

9-7-2019

7.58 pm - Rebel MLAs likely to return to Bengaluru tomorrow and will be re-submitting their resignations to speaker Ramesh Kumar.

7.40 pm - Arvind Limbavali, BJP: High-level BJP delegation is going to meet Governor of Karnataka at 1 PM. We want an immediate intervention of the Governor. We will decide further course of action after tomorrow's meetings with Governor and Speaker.

Arvind Limbavali

6.59 pm - JD(S) MLA Shivalinge Gowda claims that the coalition government is stable and slams rebel MLAs for anti-party activities.

6.28 pm - BJP LP meeting begins at party office in Malleshwaram.

5.57 pm - Congress MPs shout slogans against BJP in Lok Sabha and accuse BJP of trying to destabilise the coalition government. Rahul Gandhi too joins Congress MPs’ protest.  

4.50 pm - The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged IMA group ponzi scam has served a notice to Congress MLA Roshan Baig, asking him to appear before it on Thursday. This comes hours after the Shivajinagar MLA resigned from the assembly.The lawmaker was earlier suspended from the Congress for his alleged anti-party activities.

4:35 pm - Senior Congress leader MLA Ramalinga Reddy reportedly has left for a farmhouse to avoid meeting senior Congress leaders. National Congress leaders are scheduled to arrive in Bengaluru shortly.

4:29 pm - CM Kumaraswamy assures JD(S) MLAs that 'Operation Kamala' will fail again. CM adds that there is no threat to the government and the rebellion drama will come to an end on July 12.

4:27 pm - JD(S) accuses BJP of spending Rs 1000 Crore to poach MLAs in Karnataka.

4.25 pm - BJP leaders are meeting the rebel MLA's at the Powai Hotel in Mumbai, say TV reports.

3.50 pm - Soon after meeting in Yeddyurappa's residence, Basavaraj Bommai and Kumar Bangarappa are on way to meet the Speaker KR Ramesh. They are likely to urge the Speaker to accept the resignation of the rebel MLAs, say TV reports.

3.25 pm - Speaking to media, S T Somshekar said that after listening to the Speaker's press meet, Congress-JD(S) rebel MLAs have decided to return to Bengaluru and resubmit resignation as per rule number 202. 

3:03 pm - Dinesh Gundu Rao and Siddaramaiah came to submit petition against certain leaders: Speaker Ramesh Kumar

2.50 pm - Speaker Ramesh Kumar says he has told the Governor that no rebel MLA has met him so far. Also told the Governor that it is his priority to uphold the Constitution, but he will also bear in mind those who are helpless. I have given the MLAs time to present themselves before me. 

2.40 pm - Speaker Ramesh Kumar says that many of the resignation letters are not in the right format, as per the procedure. He also says that that he has called the MLAs who have resigned on July 12 and 13. He says that he will meet Anand Singh and Narayan Gowda personally on July 13, and Gopalaiah and Ramalinga Reddy on June 15.

2:25 pm - BJP workers in Karnataka protest, demanding CM HD Kumaraswamy's resignation.

2.11 pm - CM HD Kumaraswamy Reaches Devanahalli to Meet JD(S) MLAs

1.48 pm - Siddaramaiah says that Roshan Baig's resignation was also anti-party. Baig has also been accused of taking Rs 400 crore from IMA founder Mohammed Mansoor Khan and not returning the amount.

1.28 pm - Rebel MLA Narayan Gowda says he has resigned because of lack of development in the state

1.26 pm - People of Karnataka don't like 'Maitri' government says ST Somashekar

12.50 pm - Congress leaders including Siddaramaiah, KC Venugopal and Parameshwar are on a protest at the Gandhi Statue outside the Vishan Soudha in Bengaluru.

12.29 pm - Bengaluru central region Shivajinagar Congress MLA Roshan Baig, confirms to the media that he has submitted his resignation letter to the Speaker KR Ramesh. Number of MLAs resigned so far is 15. With this latest development, 224 assembly seats have now come down to 209. Congress-JDS strength now is103, while BJP has 105 and support of two Independent MLAs. 

12.23 pm - Siddaramaiah also says that the party will petition the Speaker to disqualify MLAs who have resigned, since their resignations are not voluntary and genuine. He adds that the Speaker is supreme and should be convinced whether the resignations are genuine or not.

12.16 pm - After the meeting with CLP, Siddaramaiah says that the BJP was offering money to Congress and JD(S) rebels. "Where is this money coming from?" he questions. He also alleges, stating further that 10th Schedule, or the Anti-Defection Law, is not being followed. Some of the MLAs who have resigned have not done by voluntarily but forced by opposition party leaders. While others will face the action for anti-party activities, Siddaramaiah added. 

12.12 pm - Soumya Reddy confirms that she has not resigned, while her father, rebel MLA Ramalinga Reddy and former Congress loyalist has handed in his resignation. 

12:05 pm - The rebel MLAs are in a place about 90 km from Pune. They will wait for the Speaker's decision on their resignations before deciding whether to proceed to Goa or return to Bengaluru.

11.40 am - Several Congress MLAs skipped the CLP meeting include Ramalinga Reddy, DR Sudhakar, Roshan Baig, Tukaram, Anjali Nimbalkar, MTB Nataraj, Sangameshwar, Shivanna, Fathima, B Nagendra, Raje Gowda, and Ramappa. Tukaram. Other than MTB Nataraj, DR Sudhakar cited health reasons for absence, raising speculations.

11.26 am - "I will take action against the MLA resignations when they come to me personally and give explanation," says Speaker Ramesh Kumar.

11.01 am - Congress leader MTB Natarajan skips party meeting citing ill health, raising speculations.

10: 55 am - Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar says, "I am nowhere related to the current political developments. I am acting as per the Constitution. Till now, no MLA has has sought an appointment with me. If anyone wants to meet me, I will be available in my office."

10:28 am - BJP's Shobha Karandlaje says that BJP's strength is more than Congress-JD(S) MLAs. "We are almost 107, they have fallen to 103. I think Governor can take the decision to call BJP to form the govt," she said.

10:20 am - Siddaramaiah, expressing his anger towards Deputy CM G Parameshwara said that he had always told Parameshwara to discuss with Ramalinga Reddy while taking any decision related to Bengaluru. "But he did not listen and even told others that he is also a senior leader and does not need guidance from Ramalinga Reddy,” Siddaramaiah said.

10.05 am - Speaker Ramesh Kumar tells media that he will assess the resignations of the rebel MLAs as only Speaker and not member of the Congress party. "I will be calm and level headed and do what is expected by the Constitution and law," he says.

9:54 am - Congress Legislative Party meeting in Bengaluru - Siddaramaiah, Priyank Kharge and other Congress leaders arrive

9.00 am - Speaker will take a decision on the MLAs' resignation once he comes to his office

8-7-2019

9:17 pm -"I'm hurt by the way Congress has treated me and suspended me as I spoke bitter truth. The state leadership has failed, there is no accountability. I am not going to either Mumbai or Goa, I am in Bengaluru. I am going to resign from MLA post. They (BJP) are in touch with me," said Roshan Baig. 

8.01 pm - Congress leaders K C Venugopal, Dy CM G Parameshwara and KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao headed to an unknown location without any security.   

7.59 pm - 14 Karnataka MLAs leave for Goa - In a surprising turn of events, 14 rebel Congress-JD(S) legislators from Karnataka - who were camping in Mumbai for last three days - have moved to Goa.

7:42 pm - Roshan Baig: I'm hurt by the way Congress party treated me, I'll resign from my MLA post and join BJP.  

7.04 pm - Minister and Independent MLA R Shankar resigns from Ministry, extends support to BJP: Raj Bhavan communique 

6.58 pm - The BJP on Monday demanded that Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy step down immediately as his government has slipped into a 'minority' following the resignation of 13 MLAs and withdrawal of support by an independent MLA.

MLA R Shankar with Governor

6.29 pm -  Congress legal cell writes to speaker Ramesh Kumar asking him to no to accept MLAs’ resignations. 

6.28 pm - Karnataka Minister and Congress leader DK Shivakumar leaves for Mumbai. 

5.55 pm - Congress MLA Sowmya Reddy met Sonia Gandhi in Delhi today and reportedly discussed the political situation in Karnataka. The MLA was accompanied by Congress leader Sushmita Dev: TV reports 

5.45 pm - B S Yeddyurappa:When they lost confidence, they have no moral right to conduct the business. That is why we are demanding that he (CM) resign immediately.

5.20 pm - B S Yeddyurappa, BJP: Now we are having BJP legislative party meeting & we are going to take appropriate decision there. Tomorrow all our workers will protest because Congress-JD(S) lost the majority so CM should resign immediately. That is the people's aspiration also.

4.55 pm - Karnataka assembly strength

         BJP: 105

        Congress: 79-10 = 69 (ST Somashekar,BC Patil,B Basavaraj,Ramalinga Reddy,Muniratna,Mahesh Kumtalli,Pratap G Patil,Ramesh                 Jarkiholi,Anand Singh,Shivaram Hebbar)

         JD(S): 37-3 = 34 (H Vishwanath,Gopalaiah,Narayana Gowda)

         BSP = 1  Independent MLA

4:50 pm - Congress supporters stage a dharna at Anand Rao circle, Bengaluru. Use horseman with BS Yeddyurappa mask and suitcase. Slam BJP Karnataka chief for indulging in horse trading of MLAs.

4:20 pm - Amid the political crisis in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) G Parameshwara and senior BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar locked horns on Monday over the transportation of rebel Congress MLAs to Mumbai. The DCM accused the BJP MP of arranging the aircraft to ferry its party MLAs, a charge denied by the saffron party leader.

3:54 pm - The Cabinet will be reshuffled at the earliest," the Chief Minister's Office said on Twitter.

3:34 pm - Independent MLA H Nagesh, who resigned, has reached Sofitel hotel in Mumbai where other rebels Karnataka MLAs are staying.

3:25 pm - Congress MLA Soumya Reddy, daughter of Ramalinga Reddy, who had tendered his resignation, will come to Bengaluru tomorrow to attend the Congress Legislative Party meeting.

3:15 pm - As the political drama in Karnataka takes new turns, JD(S) is likely to move its MLAs to Paddington Resorts in Coorg.

3:11 pm - Chief Minister Kumaraswamy put up a brave face amid the ongoing crisis in the state even as his entire cabinet resigned to make way for the rebelling MLAs.

3:04 pm - "All JD(S) ministers have resigned in the same manner as the 21 ministers of the Congress party have resigned. The cabinet will be restructured soon," said the Twitter handle Karnataka CM.

2:59 pm - Minister DK Shivakumar says that Independent MLA Nagesh, who resigned as minister, called him and said that he has been 'hijacked' by Yeddyurappas' PA and BJP. "By the time I reached airport, the flight had left," said Shivakumar.

2:55 pm - JD(S) MLAs gather at the office of Karnataka minister and party leader HD Revanna

2:33 pm - CM & JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy: The issue will be resolved, don't worry. This govt will run smoothly.

2:25 pm - DC Thammanna, Transport Minister and JD(S) leader, confirms that no direction has been given by party leaders to resign, but says, "If they suggest, I will definitely resign."

2:17 pm - Threatening to join the league of MLAs, who have tendered their resignation demanding ministerial berths, lone BSP MLA N Mahesh says he is willing to offer issue-based support to BJP.

2:03 pm -Former CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah alleges, "BJP had been trying to destabilize since last one year and this is their sixth attempt. They will surely fail again & will have to face the wrath of the public. They are unable to digest the fact that our coalition govt is trying to ensure social justice and regional balance."

1:06 pm - We had detailed discussion. Today we met all ministers. The ministers themselves voluntarily resigned and entrusted party to reshuffle - K C Venugopal

12:53 pm - Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan expresses confidence that the at least 6-7 of the 10 rebel MLAs will come back.

12:41 pm - Independent MLA H Nagesh, who resigned, flies to Mumbai to join the rest of the rebel MLAs.

12:21 pm - All Congress ministers including deputy chief minister Dr G Parameshwara have tendered their resignations in view of the crisis that has shaken the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in the state.

12:18 pm - BJP demands CM H D Kumaraswamy's resignation amid crisis.

12:13 pm - Karnataka BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje says that BJP welcomes Nagesh and also that BJP will accept anybody into the party who is from non-political dispensation. "We are not in touch with rebel MLAs of the Congress and JD(S), as long as they are with their parties."

11:50 am - Minister and Congress leader D K Shivakumar says that in the interest of the party, all ministers are ready to sacrifice any post. Over independent MLA H Nagesh's resignation, Shivakumar says, "He has to submit his resignation to the chief minister."

11:44 am - Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy meets Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara seeking to salvage the situation.

11:20 am - Expressing his willingness to extend support to BJP in case it stakes claim to form the government in Karnataka, independent MLA H Nagesh has written to the Governor. "I have already withdrawn my support to the government headed by Shri H D Kumaraswamy. I would further by this letter unequivocally state that I would extend my support to the government of Bharatiya Janata Party if called for by your good self," he says.

MLA H Nagesh

11.10 am - All Karnataka Congress ministers are going to resign: DK Suresh, Congress MP

8.52 am - Deputy CM G Parameshwara says he will hold a breakfast meeting today with all Congress ministers in Karnataka to discuss way forward. he also says that he is ready to resign if the party asks him to do so.

08.00 am- Amidst last-ditch efforts to save the Congress-JD(S) alliance government, the Congress slammed the BJP saying that it was ruining democracy and engaging in horse trading.

07.00 am - Some Congress MLAs held a press conference in Mumbai on Sunday night. They said they will not return to Bengaluru now and will not withdraw resignation.

7-7-2019

9.03 pm - "Govt should run as per the Constitution. It is a constitutionally elected govt in Karnataka. They (BJP) are destabilizing it. In about 14 states, they are pressurizing, not only Congress MLAs, but also the regional party members," says Mallikarjun Kharge.

8.54 pm - "We 13 MLAs submitted resignation to the Speaker and informed Governor. We all are together. No question of going back to Bengaluru and withdrawing the resignations,"Karnataka Congress MLA ST Somashekar outside Sofitel hotel in Mumbai.

8.40 pm - Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamyholds a meeting with JD(S) leaders on his arrivalat HAL airport. Chief Ministerto head straight to the private hotel for JD(S) Legislative Party meeting.

7.55 pm - Siddaramaiah appeals to Congress leaders and party workers, not to speak anything against coalition govt, CM H D Kumaraswamy or H D Devegowda. Don’t fall prey to news spread by those who want to break govt, he adds.

7.53 pm - GT Devegowda, JDS at party headquarters (JP Bhavan) in Bengaluru: I spoke to H Vishwanath, he told he'll come back. If both the parties decide to make Siddaramaiah as CM or any other from JDS party or from Congress party, I am okay with it.

7.35 pm - Power struggle between Siddaramaiah & Kumaraswamy behind K'taka political crisis: BJP MP Prahlad Joshi

7.31 pm - Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has arrived at HAL Airport in Bengaluru

7.22 pm - BJP state unit has booked 30 rooms for two days in Ramada Hotel on Doddaballapur Road in Bengaluru for their MLAs.

6.21 pm - State BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa reportedly summoned several BJP MLAs to Bengaluru in fear of ‘Reverse Operation.’

6.05 pm - Circular has been issued by Congress to all MLAs to attend Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting called by CLP leader Siddaramaiah on July 9. Karnataka Congress in charge KC Venugopal & Karnataka Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao will also be present in the meet.

4.25 pm - Chief minister H D kumaraswamy to head directly to JD(S) office from airport to chair a crucial meeting. Top party leaders to take part in the meeting.

4.19 pm - P T Parameshwar Naik blames PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for mass resignation of coalition MLAs, says it is not right to blame Siddaramaiah for resignations and that BJP is attempting backdoor entry to grab power.

4.17 pm - HK Patil, Congress: Our leaders are talking to our legislators who are unhappy. Everything will be okay. BJP is only creating this problem. But the Govt will be stable. Govt is safe & it will remain safe. All our legislators will come back.

4.05 pm - The BJP is watching the political developments in Karnataka after the resignation of over a dozen ruling Congress-JD(S) MLAs, and those in the party are not "sanyasis" to rule out the possibility of forming the government, state unit chief B S Yeddyurappa said on Sunday.

3.53 pm - CM HD Kumaraswamy is flying to Bengaluru by a special flight from Delhi.

3.45 pm - Ramesh Jarkiholi calls for a meeting with his supporters tomorrow at his residence in Gokak. Ramesh Jarkiholi is currently in Mumbai. 

3.05 pm - Congress leader from Karnataka, Mahendra Singhi, said that the Congress-JD(S) government is safe. Singhi visited the Sofitel Hotel at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai and spoke to the dissident MLAs of the two ruling parties " I only met shub-chintak (well wisher) Ramesh Jarkiholi. I have not met anyone else," he said. " I won't say anything about what I don't know," he said adding that the government was safe.

2.00 pm - BJP reaches out to dissident MLAs - In a fresh development, BJP seems to have reached out to the dissident Congress-JD(S) legislators, who are camping in Mumbai.

10.00 am - High security has been maintained in and around Sofitel Hotel at Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai where at least 10 Congress-JD(S) MLAs have been lodged in the wake of the fast-changing political situation in Karnataka. 

02:00 am - Congress and JD(S) seek current ministers' resignation to accommodate disgruntled MLAs.

CM H D Kumaraswamy speaks to senior Congress leaders ahead of political developments in the state. Both Congress and JD(S) leaders decide to seek resignations of 10 senior ministers to accommodate 10 disgruntled MLAs.

Tourism Minister Sa Ra Mahesh and Minor Irrigation Minister C S Puttaraju ready to resign from their posts to pave way for disgruntled MLAs.

6-7-2019

21:19 pm - Minister Zameer Ahmad on resignations of Congress-JD(S) MLAs says, "They will come back. Where else will they go? The resignations have not been accepted yet."

20:40 - Former CM Siddaramaiah holds a meeting with Congress - JD(S) leaders H D Revanna, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Jayamala and many others at his residence - TV reports

20:33 - Ten Karnataka Congress-JD(S) MLAs arrive at Mumbai airport

19:59 - BJP trying to bring down Karnataka govt: Congress

19:26 pm - Rebel MLAs flew to Mumbai in Jupiter Aviation owned by BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar say TV reports

19:13 - Karnataka Congress In-charge, K.C Venugopal holds meeting with CLP Leader Siddaramaiah, KPCC Working President Eashwar Khandre, DK Shivakumar, DK Suresh and other leaders after some of the Congress-JD(S) MLAs submitted their resignations, today.

18:58 pm - Congress and JDS MLAs to stay at the Renaissance hotel in Mumbai. BJP MLAs Aravind Limbavali and Dr. Ashwathnarayan plan the rebels stay in Mumbai. TV reports

18:41 pm - K J George meets all rebel MLAs at the HAL airport to convince them.

18: 35 pm - Coalition government will be unabated - former CM Siddaramaiah

18:30 pm - Congress leaders call for an emergency meeting at Rakab Ganj Road in Delhi. Mallikarjun kharge, P Chidambaram and Anand Sharma to hold the meeting.

18:18 pm - BS Yeddyurappa, BJP: We are closely watching political developments in Karnataka. One thing I can say is that people are not ready for elections. Elections are a burden on state exchequer. If the situation arises we'll definitely explore constitutional provisions to form next govt.

18.15 pm - Five more MLAs may resign on Sunday - Ramalinga Reddy's daughter Soumya Reddy (Jayanagar) and Anjali Nimbalkar and three other Congress MLAs are tipped to resign on Sunday: TV reports.

18. 10 pm- DK Shivakumar tore Muniratna's resignation letter. Muniratna has resubmitted resignation letter to Vidhana Soudha secretary. On way to Raj Bhavan with Ramalinga Reddy, Somshekar to Governor, may complain against DK Shivakumar.

18.05 pm - DV Sadananda Gowda, BJP on being asked if BJP will form government in Karnataka: Governor is the supreme authority, as per the constitutional mandate if he calls us, certainly we are ready to form the government. We are the single largest party, we have got 105 people with us.

Resigned MLAs meeting Governor

17. 15 pm: B S Yeddyurappa says the BJP had no hand in the resignation of the MLAs. The party will see what the Speaker does, and have no plans go to Raj Bhavan just yet - TV reports 

17. 05 pm : D K Shivakumar: If necessary, we will make Mallikarjun Kharge the CM - TV reports