Karnataka crisis: SC commences hearing on pleas of 15 rebel MLAs

The Supreme Court today commenced hearing on a plea of rebel MLAs of the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition in Karnataka seeking directions to Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to accept their resignations.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi is first dealing with the case of 10 lawmakers who approached the court first.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the rebels, told the Supreme Court that the Speaker has to see if the resignation is voluntary or not. He said, resignation once moved has to be decided on merits notwithstanding the pendency of disqualification proceeding.

Mr Rohtagi said, the Assembly Speaker has to accept the resignation of MLAs and there is no other way to deal with it. He further added that there is a vote of confidence in assembly and rebel MLAs may be forced to follow whip despite resigning from the party.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, yesterday agreed to hear today a plea of five rebel Congress MLAs along with the pending petition of 10 legislators. The five MLAs had moved the apex court on Saturday against the Speaker not accepting their resignations.

The Hindu