Both former Karnataka Home Minister and senior Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy and JD(S) MLA K Gopalaiah who were scheduled to meet Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Monday afternoon skipped their meetings.
PTI reported sources as saying that both of them called the Speaker’s office and briefed them about their absence earlier in the day. Both of them had to meet the Speaker personally to explain their reasons for resigning.
While Reddy is in Bengaluru, Goapalaiah is in Mumbai along with the other rebel MLAs who are staying at the Renaissance Hotel since July 6.
In a tweet, Reddy said, "Some people are unnecessarily spreading the news that I am flying to Mumbai. I have made it very clear that I am in Bengaluru. Request media friends to abstain from the rumors.”
He is likely to meet the Speaker on Tuesday at 4pm after the Supreme Court hears the matter for the third time since it had gone to court on Thursday.
Reddy is also the only MLA out of the 16 rebel MLAs of the ruling combine, who has not approached the Supreme Court seeking that their resignations be accepted expeditiously by the Speaker. Reddy had also held a meeting with former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday in light of the recent crisis.
As things stand now, a trust vote that could seal the fate of this government will be held at 11am on Thursday. Earlier on Friday, regarding the resignation of MLAs, the apex court had ordered status quo to be maintained till Tuesday.
The numbers are stacked up against the ruling coalition with BJP leading with 107, and the coalition at 101.
As part of Tuesday’s proceedings in the top court, it is also likely to hear a petition filed by Karnataka Youth Congress Secretary Anil Chacko Joseph and others seeking its intervention in the ongoing case claiming that the resignation of 10 rebel MLAs was to be treated as defections.