Karnataka rebels may skip July 18 confidence vote

Mumbai: The dissident Karnataka MLAs who are staying in Mumbai, are expected to skip the confidence motion moved by chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on July 18. They are unlikely to fly to Bengaluru on Thursday when the Congress-JD(S) government faces the floor test.

The Kumaraswamy-led government is on the brink of collapse, with 16 MLAs, including 13 of the Congress and three of the JD(S), resigning from their Assembly memberships. Two independent MLAs, too, have withdrawn support to the state government and are supporting the Opposition BJP.

In the 224-member House, the ruling coalition’s strength is 116 [Congress 78, JD(S) 37, and BSP one) besides the speaker. With the support of two independents, the Opposition BJP has 107 MLAs.

However, according to sources, the MLAs staying in Mumbai have already submitted their resignations to the speaker and do not want to attend the floor test, as they are firm on their resignations.

Meanwhile, the dissident Karnataka MLAs have written to the Mumbai police chief, saying that they do not want to meet Mallikarjun Kharge or any other Congress leader. There were speculations that Mr Kharge, along with some other senior Congress leaders and Mr Kumaraswamy, might visit the Powai hotel where the legislators have been put up. In the letter, the rebel MLAs said that they had “absolutely no intention” of meeting Mr Kharge or any other Congressmen.