Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 1: Former minster and MLA representing Vijayanagara constituency, B S Anand Singh of the Congress, has resigned from his post on Monday July 1. The coalition government has suffered this jolt at a time when chief minster H D Kumaraswamy, is on a visit to USA to take part in the foundation laying ceremony of a temple there.

Anand Singh went to the residence of assembly speaker, Ramesh Kumar, at Domlur here and tendered his resignation. He has cited personal reasons for resigning from the assembly.

Anand Singh, who was a minister during the BJP rule, had later quit that party and joined the Congress last year. He had then got elected from Vijayanagara constituency on Congress ticket. There is information that Anand Singh's resignation may open the gate for resignation of seven more MLAs who are waiting in the wing.

Anand singh had visited Delhi on Sunday. During this visit, he had met union defence minister, Rajnath Singh, and held discussions, it is said.

MLAs loyal to Gokak legislator, Ramesh Jarkiholi, are likely to tender their resignations together to their seats. Kampli MLA, Ganesh, Hirekerur MLA, B C Patil, Ballari rural MLA, Nagendra, and Athani MLA, Mahesh Kumathalli, are the other legislators who are planning to resign, as per information.

The disgruntled Congress legislators are expected to leave the party and the posts in three groups. Initially Anand Singh has resigned. This will be followed by Jarkiholi and his followers. After that, a group of legislators led by Hirekerur MLA, B C Patil, will leave, it is learnt.

Anand Singh, with this move, has given a shock to the coalition government a day before the beginning of 'Asadha' month as per Hindu calendar that is considered inauspicious. It may be recalled that Umesh Jadhav, who had resigned from the Congress party, had fought from Kalaburagi on a BJP ticket and inflicted defeat on Mallikarjun Kharge, who had never been defeated in an election before.

There are claims that some JD(S) MLAs too are readying to hop to the saffron party. Name of the JD(S) state president H Vishwanath, who recently resigned from his post, too is in the list. Some also expect Sakleshpur MLA, H K Kumaraswamy, who has been tipped to become the next state JD(S) president, to leave his membership of the assembly. Names of Narayana Gowda, MLA from K R Pet, Piriyapatna MLA Mahadevu and T Narasipur MLA Ashwin Kumar, are also making the rounds.

Immediately after Anand Singh tendered his resignation, BJP state president, B S Yeddyurappa, has called for an emergent press meet today at 12 pm.He is expected to speak about Anand Singh’s resignation and about more legislators joining the BJP. He may also announce that the BJP will form the government in the state.