In a partial relief to the crisis-hit Congress in Karnataka, rebel MLA MTB Nagaraj, who submitted his resignation to the Speaker, has hinted that he may withdraw his resignation.
Nagaraj, one of the richest MLAs in the country, was elected as the MLA of Hoskote constituency. He, along with Chikkaballapura MLA K Sudhakar had submitted their resignations to the Speaker on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, flanked by senior Congress leaders, including DK Shivakumar, Nagaraj said, "The 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."
Nagaraj spoke to the media hours after Karnataka Minister and Congress leader DK Shivakumar visited his residence to try and convince him to reconsider his decision.
Speaking to reporters, DK Shivakumar said, “At midnight we met our senior leader MTB Nagaraj. He is a loyal, sincere Congressman who has been with the party for 30 years and has stood by his party in all crises. We are happy he has said he will be with us and convince others to rejoin us.”
Nagaraj had submitted his resignation on Wednesday and was one of the few MLAs who were not rushed to a resort. Since the political crisis hit the state of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar has been shuffling between Mumbai and Bengaluru and has been holding discussions with the rebel MLAs to try and convince them to withdraw their resignations.
The Supreme Court on Friday gave the coalition government in Karnataka a much-needed breather as it ordered that status quo pertaining to the resignation and disqualification of 10 members of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly remain in place till the next hearing scheduled for Tuesday. Shortly after the apex court’s decision, Karnataka Chief Minister asked the Speaker to set a date for a floor test in the Assembly. Sixteen MLAs of the coalition – including three JD(S) MLAs and 13 Congress MLAs – have so far submitted their resignation letters to the Speaker. Most of the MLAs in the state are lodged in various resorts across cities – The Congress MLAs are put up in Taj Vivanta Yeshwanthpur, JD(S) leaders are at Prestige Golfshire and the BJP MLAs are at Ramada hotel in Yelahanka and Sai Leela hotel in Rajanakunte.