Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar postpones hearing on Congress petition to disqualify its 4 MLAs

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar on Tuesday postponed hearing on Congress petition to disqualify its four disgruntled Congress MLAs for disobeying the party whip by not attending the Congress legislative Party (CLP) meeting and allegedly indulging in anti-party activities.

Sources said that the Speaker had put off the hearing 'indefinitely' as Code of conduct for the General Election had come in force and information about postponement was sent to all the four MLAs, including Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra, Umesh Jadhav and Mahesh Kumatalli.

Jadav, who has already joined BJP and is likely to contest in the Lok Sabha election from Kalaburagi against Congress Leader in the Lok Sabha M Mallikarjuna Kharge, had gone to the Speakers chamber and learnt about the postponement.

However, he met the Assembly Speaker and has handed-over a letter in reply to the Notice served on him.

Speaking to newsmen, Jadav expressed confidence of the Speaker accepting his resignation to the MLA post. "I have full confidence in Speaker Ramesh Kumar, he will act according to Constitution and will not come under any pressure."

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is also the CLP leader had petitioned with the Speaker to disqualify the four members for violating the party Whip and for indulging in anti-party activities.

Though the issue is pending before the Speaker and resignation letter is yet to be accepted, Jadav has been welcomed into the party fold by Opposition Leader in the Legislative Assembly B S Yeddyurappa, who is also the State President of BJP, during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kalaburagi.

In the present situation it is yet to be known whether the ambition of Jadav to contest Lok Sabha election from Kalaburagi against Mallikarjuna Kharge will metaralise or not, since the Speaker is yet to accept his resignation.