Karnataka: 20 MLAs withdraw support after 4 ministers dropped
Bangalore, Oct 6 (IBNS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka on Wednesday plunged into a grave crisis as 20 MLAs, including party legislators, withdrawing support to the government, hours after Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa dropped four dissident ministers.
Reports quoting rebel leader PM Narendraswamy, who was dropped from the ministry, claimed that 20 MLAs have submitted a letter to Governor HR Bharadwaj, declaring their withdrawal of support to the government.
The rebel legislators comprise 15 from the ruling BJP and five Independents.
The Governor has asked Yeddyurappa to prove his majority in the floor of the Assembly on October 12.
Meanwhile, alleging conspiracy by the Congress and JD (S) to topple the state government, Yeddyurappa earlier on Wednesday dropped four dissident ministers from the Cabinet.
He, however, claimed majority even after the latest development.
Yeddyurappa recommended to the Governor to drop from the Cabinet Venkataramanappa, Shivaraj Thangadagi, D Sudhakar and P M Narendraswamy.
All of them were Independent legislators, who had offered support to the BJP government after the party failed to secure majority in 2008 state Assembly polls.
The Karnataka government is the first BJP government in the South.
Announcing the decision to remove the four ministers, the chief minister said more would be asked to leave to pave way for new faces.
He, however, expressed confidence that the government will be able to prove majority even after the latest move.
?We are fully confident that the BJP government will prove its majority according to the mandate given by the people whenever such an occasion arises on the floor of the House?, he said.
Accusing the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) of entering into an ?immoral relationship?, Yeddyurappa said, ?For the first time in the history of Karnataka, each legislator is offered between Rs. 20 crore and Rs. 30 crore (to shift loyalty) and it (money) already been handed over to their family members.?
He, however, did not name any legislator.
Meanwhile, JD(S) leader M C Nanaiah called on the Governor and sought his ?intervention? to end the ?anarchy? prevailing in the state as far as the Government is concerned.