High drama in Vidhana Soudha following two more resignations
The resignation of two more Congress MLAs on Wednesday evening — M.T.B Nagaraj and K. Sudhakar — was followed by high drama in the third floor of Karnataka Secretariat. There was a showdown between the BJP and Congress leaders, which lead to the police rushing to Vidhana Soudha to bring the situation under control.
Soon after the resignations were submitted and Mr. Nagaraj left the place, some Congress leaders, including Social Welfare Minister Priyank M. Kharge and KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao, took away Mr. Sudhakar into the chamber of minister K.J. George in an apparent effort to woo him back into the party.
The BJP soon launched a protest against the “manhandling” of the MLA in the corridors of power. Speaking to press persons, BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa called in “goondaism.” They also petitioned the Speaker on the “kidnap” of Mr. Sudhakar.
By the time a posse of police, led by Bengaluru Commissioner Alok Kumar, entered the scene to smoothen the situation, both Congress and BJP leaders were on the scene, engaged in arguments. CLP leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Mr. Yeddyurappa were also in Vidhana Soudha.
With the resignation of two more MLAs, the total number of resignations from Congress and JDS has touched 16.
Responding to the allegations, Mr. Kharge said that the party leaders were only trying to speak to the leader and holding a discussion. “How does it amount to attack?” he asked.