Congress demands Yeddyurappa’s resignation

Opposition Congress on Monday demanded the immediate resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, saying his government has “already lost majority” after the Speaker disqualified 16 MLAs.

Reacting sharply to the disqualification of the MLAs, including 11 from BJP by Speaker K.G. Bopaiah, Congress leader in the Assembly Mr. Siddaramaiah said with the disqualification of BJP legislators, the government had already lost its majority.

“Yeddyurappa has no right to continue in office. If the Chief Minister has any morality, he should quit immediately”, Mr. Siddaramaiah told reporters here.

Mr. Siddaramaiah lashed out at Bopaiah, whom he alleged “behaved like the agent of the ruling party” and said under the circumstances, the Speaker cannot conduct the proceedings of the House in a “free and fair manner”.

“Who gave him the power to disqualify independent MLAs,” he asked while accusing him of behaving like Adolf Hitler.

Congress will call on Governor H.R. Bhardwaj soon seeking his intervention, he said.

Balachandra Jarkiholi, the disqualified BJP MLA said the aggrieved MLAs would approach the Court and also the Governor against the Speaker’s ruling.

“We only demanded a change in the leadership of Yeddyurappa. We did not indulge in anti-party activities”, Jarkiholi, one of the leaders spearheading the rebellion against Mr. Yeddyurappa, said.