The crisis in Karnataka worsened today after two more Congress lawmakers resigned submitted their resignation to the speaker. Party leaders DK Shivakumar and Milind Deora were detained by the Mumbai police from a five-star hotel in Mumbai where they waited to meet 10 rebel lawmakers whose resignation has threatened the survival of the Karnataka coalition government. This morning, Congress leader DK Shivakumar was stopped from entering the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai. On Tuesday night, anticipating Mr Shivakumar's visit, the lawmakers had written to the police seeking "protection" from the Congress leader. "We cannot allow you to enter because of the letter," a Mumbai police officer was heard saying during an argument with Mr Shivakumar, who insisted he had a room in the hotel and that his "friends" are staying there.
In a letter addressed to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, the rebel Karnataka lawmakers, who have been camping in Mumbai since Saturday have approached the Mumbai, also said they didn't want to meet JD(S) leader Shivalinge Gowda. Since Saturday, Karnataka has been thrown into a political crisis with as many as 14 lawmakers resigning from their positions. At least 10 of those lawmakers are in Mumbai and have been staying at five-star hotels. They had checked into Sofitel in the Bandra Kurla Complex on Saturday evening and later moved to the Renaissance Hotel in Powai area.
Here are the LIVE Updates of the Karnataka Political Crisis:
Karnataka Congress leader DK Shivakumar was "escorted" to the Mumbai airport by policemen on Wednesday, which ended his efforts to meet rebel lawmakers staying at a five-star hotel in the city since Saturday.
Two more Congress legislators submitted their resignation to the Karnataka speaker today, worsening the crisis for the state's ruling coalition, even as Congress troubleshooter DK Shivakumar tried desperately to meet the rebel lawmakers who are camped at a hotel in Mumbai
Congress leaders DK Shivakumar, Milind Deora who after being denied entry was sitting outside Renaissance - Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel where 10 rebel Congress-JD(S) lawmakers are staying, detained by Mumbai Police.
Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 3 pm after ruckus over the poitical upheaval in Karnataka.
- The 10 lawmakers who filed petition tell Supreme Court that Karnataka Assembly Speaker is delaying decision on their resignation as he intends to decide their disqualification on Friday when assembly session begins.
- The lawmakers have demanded Supreme Court to restrain Speaker from deciding their disqualification and take up their resignation first.
- The lawmakers tell Supreme Court that their resignation is voluntary and without fear as they are convinced that the administration under HD Kumaraswamy has come to a standstill and maladministration is writ large on this govt.
- The lawmakers have cited the IMA ponzi scam and JSW land scam to highlight corruption and maladministration in the government.
- The lawmakers further claimed that there are inner contradictions within the government as a result of which the coalition of Congress-JDS despite being in power was wiped out in the Lok Sabha polls recently.
- Rebel lawmakers: On knowing that lawmakers have tendered resignations on July 6, Speaker left in a private car and became untraceable.
Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar's booking at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel has been cancelled by the hotel quoting "some emergency in the hotel"