Primary and Secondary Education Minister of Karnataka and JD(S) leader GT Devegowda openly told the media that the party was willing to make any sacrifice to save the coalition.
“There have been many rumours that I will offer my resignation and join the BJP. The people of Chamundeshwari voted for me because I contested on a JD(S) ticket. I will not betray the people and my party. I am not resigning. Our senior leaders have discussed the issue and we are willing to make any sacrifice. If I have to step down as minister, I will. We are also fine with any Siddaramaiah or any Congress or JD(S) leader becoming the Chief Minister,” GT Deve Gowda said.
Soon after meeting JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda and discussing strategies to save the coalition government in Karnataka, Water Resource Minister DK Shivakumar and his brother, the Bengaluru Rural MP DK Suresh on Sunday rushed to meet veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
At around 7.30 pm on Sunday, the DK brothers rushed to meet Kharge to discuss the recent political upheaval in the state. Congress insiders say that JD(S) leaders is willing to let Mallikarjun Kharge become the Chief Minister if it would save the coalition.
“The rebel leaders want Kumaraswamy to resign. They are okay with any other Congress leader becoming the Chief Minister,” the source said.
The political turmoil in Karnataka began after a spate of resignations by MLAs of the ruling coalition. The rebels had openly stated that they are unhappy about Kumaraswamy being the Chief Minister and accused him of maladministration.
On Saturday, 10 Congress and 3 JD(S) MLAs including former state Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Ramesh Jarkiholi, H Vishwanath, ST Somashekar, Pratapgouda Patil, K Gopalaiah, BC Patil, Mahesh Kumtahallli, Narayana Gowda, Byrathi Basavaraj, Shivaram Hebbar and Munirathna Naidu tendered their resignations to the Speaker's office. Last week Congress MLA Anand Singh had tendered his resignation to the Speaker.
The strength of the coalition government is 120 now, including the Speaker. Congress has 80 MLAs, the JD(S) has 37 MLAs and there is 1 BSP MLA. Two independent MLAs - R Shankar from Ranebennur and H Nagesh from Mulbagal constituencies - are also supporting the coalition. The BJP’s strength in the Assembly is 105. The majority mark is 113.