Congress, JD leaders in huddle, reach out to rebel MLAs

New Delhi: A day after Congress-JD(S) coalition government trembled in view of dozen MLAs resigning from their Karnataka Assembly segments, hectic parleys took place between both the parties' leadership to chart out the next course of action.

Reports suggest that Congress and JD(S) leaders have started to reach out to disgruntled MLAs, urging them to reconsider or take back their resignation.

"Senior leaders in both the parties are holding talks to address the concerns of the rebels and ensure they withdraw their resignations.

However, they are unable to contact and convince them as about 10 of them flew to Mumbai on Saturday evening," a Congress-JD(S) coalition spokesman said.

Meanwhile, 10 legislators remained huddled in Sofitel hotel in Mumbai on Sunday as both the ruling alliance and Opposition BJP held several rounds of meetings to figure out the way forward.

Mumbai Congress leaders staged a protest outside the hotel where the dissident MLAs were lodged, accusing the BJP of luring away legislators of other parties.

The dissident legislators held an impromptu press conference in the evening and said that there is no chance of taking back the resignations.

"We all 13 legislators have resigned and 10 are here. We all are together. There is no question of taking back resignations. We will not attend Congress Legislature Party meeting on Tuesday," rebel Congress legislator ST Somashekar said.

Both the BJP and the Congress blamed each other for the developing political situation in the state. While the BJP claimed that the resignations were the result of an ongoing "power struggle" between former chief minister Siddaramaiah and incumbent HD Kumaraswamy, the grand old party alleged BJP's hand behind the developments.

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy was forced to cut short his US visit and head home on Sunday to take stock of the growing political crisis in his coalition government.

Straight after landing in Bengaluru on Sunday evening, Kumaraswamy got into a meeting with JD(S) national president HD Deve Gowda, Deputy CM G Parameshwara and other senior Congress leaders at the Taj West End hotel in the city.

Meanwhile, two Maharashtra BJP leaders — Prasad Lad and Mohit Bhartiya — were spotted inside a Mumbai hotel where 10 of the 13 Karnataka MLAs are staying.

When asked about the political situation in Karnataka, Prasad Lad, who is Maharashtra BJP vice president and an MLC, said: "I know about it only through media. I am busy with the party membership drive."

The BJP, which has denied any role behind the spate of resignations, is playing the waiting game. "Let's wait and watch. Are we sanyasis (hermits)? After the resignation process is over and the Speaker takes his decision, leaders of our party will discuss and decide," former CM BS Yeddyurappa said. The state BJP chief added, "Ours is a national party, after discussing with the national leadership, we will take a decision."

Earlier in the day, Congress's trusted troubleshooter DK Shivakumar met senior JD(S) leader Deve Gowda at his residence.

A circular has been issued by the 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 and Karnataka Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao will also be present in the meet.

The Congress workers held a protest outside party office in the city asking Congress MLAs to take back their resignations.