Updated July 22nd, 2019 at 21:49 IST

Karnataka Crisis | Read the signed Kumaraswamy resignation letter doing the rounds; he says it's fake

From coalition tears to a crumbling government, the crisis around the Karnataka's Congress-JD(S) government appeared to reach a new milestone after a prolonged period of drama on Monday, as CM HD Kumaraswamy walked around with a 'resignation letter' in his hand as the debate over the no-trust motion in the Karnataka Assembly showed no signs of abating. 

Reported by: Aishwaria Sonavane
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From coalition tears to a crumbling government, the crisis around the Karnataka's Congress-JD(S) government appeared to reach a new milestone after a prolonged period of drama on Monday, as CM HD Kumaraswamy walked around with a 'resignation letter' in his hand as the debate over the no-trust motion in the Karnataka Assembly showed no signs of abating. 

At a climactic time during the debate, with the BJP pulling out all the stops to ensure that the Kumaraswamy government faces a floor test on Monday itself, the Karnataka CM brandished a letter that was clearly caught by cameras declaring his resignation from the Chief Ministerial position on the ground of 'personal reasons'. Kumaraswamy has, however, confirmed that the letter is fake.  

Amid soaring speculations of the government either falling by dint of not having sufficient numbers in a floor test, or by Kumaraswamy's resignation, BJP's BS Yeddyurappa maintained that Congress' Siddaramaiah, the Chief Minister and Speaker K R Ramesh had promised a floor test on Monday. 

READ| Karnataka Crisis: CM HD Kumaraswamy Seeks Appointment With Governor Vajubhai Vala, Amid Prolonged Delay In Trust Vote

This came shortly after sources told Republic that Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and Dinesh Gundurao had agreed to hold the trust vote on Monday. But, they are facing resistance from CM's brother HD Revanna who is insisting that Wednesday should be fixed.

Meanwhile, the Speaker had refused to entertain the CM's request for time till Wednesday. He denied permission in the morning as well. HDK has said more discussion required on the floor of the house.

Previously on Sunday, both Congress and BJP held legislature party meetings at 5-star hotels in Bengaluru ahead of the looming trust vote. On Sunday, two Independent MLAs Shankar and Nagesh have approached the Supreme Court about the breakdown of Constitution and democracy in Karnataka - where a CM despite not having a majority in the house is stalling a trust vote by dubious tactics. 

Meanwhile, BSP Supremo Mayawati had directed Karnataka BSP MLA N Mahesh to vote in favour of the state CM H D Kumaraswamy's government. Incidentally, Mahesh was among the 20 members who had missed the Karnataka Assembly session on Thursday and Friday apart from the 15 rebels MLAs, two independent MLAs, and Congress MLAs Srimant Patil and B Nagendra.

Here are the numbers at present:

BJP - 105 MLAs
Congress-JD(S) MLAs - 100 including Ramalinga Reddy 
Speaker- 1
Rebels MLAs- 15
Independent- 2
BSP MLA - 1

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Published July 22nd, 2019 at 21:26 IST