JD(S) legislators staying at resort destress with yoga

Politics

Amidst the drama of the state’s political climate, the JD(s) MLAs who have been staying at the club took to yoga.

TNM Staff

Twitter/ANI

Even as the rising tensions in the state of Karnataka have led to several clashes between the BJP and the Congress party, it seems that the JD(S) legislators who have been staying in a private hotel in Bengaluru have found a way to keep themselves occupied. The MLAs who are currently staying at Golfshire Club in Bengaluru took to doing yoga, according to reports by ANI. Photographs from the hotel show the MLAs in various asanas (yoga poses) in different groups, inside a large room with glass windows. They are dressed in casual attire with most wearing track pants and t-shirts and seem to be guided by a yoga instructor. Image source: ANI According to reports, the legislators, who support the coalition government, are all currently staying at the hotel as per Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy’s plans. Initially, the JD(S) had booked rooms at Paddington resort in Madikeri which is a little over 200 kilometers in distance from Bengaluru. This is happening at a time when the coalition government is being confronted by the possibility of falling. As of Wednesday, 16 MLAs from the coalition have submitted their resignations. Earlier in the day, Congress’s DK Shivakumar was detained by police in Mumbai after spending hours outside the Renaissance Hotel in Powai, in a last-ditch attempt to speak to rebelling coalition MLAs  who were staying at the hotel. A few hours after this, Chikkaballapur MLA Sudhakar was mobbed by KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao and former minister Priyank Kharge after he had submitted his resignation letter at the Vidhana Soudha. Hoskote MLA MTB Nagaraj too had submitted a letter to Speaker Ramesh Kumar, who later stated that he had not officially accepted any resignations. As of Wednesday, 16 MLAs have currently tendered their resignations in the state, bringing the  Congress-JD(S) coalition government’s number down to 101, while the BJP has 105 MLAs on its side. 

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Bengaluru witnesses multiple protests by Congress and BJP on the political crisis

Politics

Ghulam Nabi Azad was detained by police in Bengaluru for protesting in front of the Raj Bhavan.

Prajwal Bhat

Protests took centre stage in Bengaluru on Wednesday even as the political crisis in the state spilled over to Mumbai’s Renaissance Hotel and even the Supreme Court in the national capital. As a result of the protests, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad along with other Congress leaders were detained by police for protesting outside the Raj Bhavan where BS Yeddyurappa was just about to arrive along with other state BJP leaders. Read: DK Shivakumar refuses to budge from outside hotel: Mumbai police detains him Azad and other high profile leaders including former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and ex-Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda had joined protestors in central Bengaluru at a stone’s throw away distance from the Vidhana Soudha where the BJP was holding protests. Speaking at the protest, Deve Gowda exuded confidence about his party holding onto power. “In my 60 years in politics, I am pained to say I have never seen such a pathetic state. Yesterday, the Speaker reviewed the resignations, and given three of them the opportunity to appear before him and explain the situation tomorrow. He will also do the same with others. In such a situation, it is wrong to put pressure on the Governor,” he told supporters of the Congress and the JD(S) gathered . Read: Karnataka political crisis: SC likely to hear petition against Speaker on Thursday MLAs and MLCs of the BJP led by Yeddyurappa convened at the Gandhi statue inside the Assembly premises demanding the resignation of Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy. Their claimed being that the government had lost its majority in the House with the resignation of 13 rebel MLAs. Following the spate of resignations, the Congress-JD(S) coalition has 101 MLAs while the BJP has 107 MLAs on its side.  However, Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar has not accepted the resignations citing technicalities and has said that the rebels MLA meet him in person and tender their resignations. Following the BJP protests, Yeddyurappa met the Governor and the Speaker. Addressing reporters following his meeting with the Governor, Yeddyurappa said, "I requested the Governor to convey to Speaker that he should take necessary action immediately. Kumaraswamy has no moral right to continue as Chief Minister, they don't have the numbers. BJP has the numbers. And the Speaker is unnecessarily delaying the process." He added, “I told the Governor that they don't have the moral right to continue. What is the political crisis? They have created it.”

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As two more Congress MLAs resign, coalition leaders resort to mobbing in Vidhana Soudha

Politics

Visuals showed Chikkaballapura MLA Sudhakar being physically held back as he came out after submitting his letter.

Prajwal Bhat

A crowd turning into a mob in a corridor. At least five men pulling and pushing a single man who stands in the middle. This was not a scene in a crowded street, but outside Karnataka Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar's office. As Chikkaballapur Congress MLA Sudhakar came out of the Speaker's office after submitting his resignation, he was intercepted by other Congress leaders. KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao and former minister Priyank Kharge literally pulled Sudhakar to another Congress leader's office in the building. They seemed to want to take him into their "custody" before he also left to Mumbai to join the other rebel MLAs, beyond the Congress's reach. Two more Karnataka Congress MLAs tendered their resignations to the Speaker Ramesh Kumar’s office on Wednesday. Hoskote MLA MTB Nagaraj and Chikkaballapura MLA Sudhakar handed over their resignation letters on Wednesday afternoon.  However, Ramesh Kumar speaking to the media confirmed that he has not yet accepted any resignations.  MTB Nagaraj and Sudhakar declined to speak to media as they walked out. Sixteen MLAs have currently tendered their resignations in the state, bringing the  Congress-JD(S) coalition government’s number down to 101, including the Speaker and BSP MLA Mahesh. The BJP has 105 MLAs on its side. Two Independent MLAs have withdrawn support from the coalition government and pledged loyalty to the BJP. The majority mark for the Karnataka Assembly is currently 105.  There are likely to be more resignations on Wednesday. High drama surrounding the Karnataka political crisis continued into Wednesday. Congress leader DK Shivakumar travelled to Mumbai to pacify 10 rebelling MLAs who were staying at Hotel Renaissance Powai. Shivakumar was not allowed to enter the hotel after the MLAs stated they felt “threatened” and called for police protection. Shivakumar was detained by police Wednesday afternoon after spending hours outside the hotel.

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Come rain or shine, DK Shivakumar refuses to budge from outside hotel: Gets detained

Politics

Along with Shivakumar, Congress leader Milind Deora has also been detained.

Shilpa S Ranipeta

Former Karnataka Minister and Congress troubleshooter DK Shivakumar has been detained by police in Mumbai after spending hours outside the Renaissance Hotel Powai in an effort to speak to the rebelling MLAs staying at the hotel. Come rain, come shine, DK Shivakumar was determined not to leave Mumbai without meeting the 10 MLAs.  Despite not being allowed to go inside the hotel, DK Shivakumar refused to leave and remained seated outside the hotel along with Shivarame Gowda, GT Devegowda and other supporters. Along with Shivakumar, Congress leader Milind Deora has also been detained.  Mumbai is amid its peak monsoon season and heavy rain poured down on the city on Wednesday, but DK Shivakumar didn’t budge even as the police and other supporters rushed to give him shelter from the heavy rain. “I am here to convince and take them with me. Nothing is permanent in politics. We will go back together,” he says seated on a chair, partially wet from the downpour. The high-tension drama saw heavy police presence outside the hotel. Maharashtra State Reserve Police Force and Riot Control Police were deployed outside the hotel, which saw a massive crowd comprising politicians, police personnel, supporters of the MLAs and media persons. After DKS was met with protestors in the morning asking him to go back, Section 144 has been imposed in Powai area, essentially prohibiting assembly of more than four people. Security was further tightened after the MLAs wrote to Mumbai Commissioner of Police seeking protection from DKS. Even as Additional Commissioner Manoj Sharma came to speak to DKS, he reiterated that he only wanted to meet the MLAs and didn’t wish to cause any disturbance. “We are law abiding citizens, we are law makers, we do not wish to cause any law problem. The police can take us wherever they want, ready to cooperate. But the purpose of coming here should be achieved,” he said. Renaissance Hotel cancelled DKS’ reservation ‘due to some emergency in the hotel’. “I had reserved a room here, but they cancelled it. Bombay is known for hospitality, other rooms are there. If they don’t give anything, the streets of Bombay are there,” DKS told the media while waiting outside. However, the MLAs inside the hotel have refused to meet DKS. “We formed government because of them. Everyone is looking at us, the party cadre of the nation is looking at us. We wanted to have a secular government. BJP is saying not involved but former speaker, former home minister have come here and have given a letter to the police commissioner. But their relationship with BJP is of 2-3 days, while my relationship with them is of 40 years. They are my friends. I know their heart and their feelings and will win them,” DKS said.    

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Karnataka political crisis: SC likely to hear petition against Speaker on Thursday

Politics

Rebels Congress-JD(S) MLAs have moved court claiming the Speaker was not acting as per the Constitution.

TNM Staff

PTI/File

The cliffhanger surrounding the stability of the Karnataka government led by HD Kumaraswamy, entered the Supreme Court on Wednesday. This, after the 10 rebel MLAs of the JD(S)-Congress ruling coalition in the state represented by senior advocate and former Attorney General of India Mukul Rohatgi approached the apex court. They claimed that the Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar was not acting as per Constitution but instead was deliberately delaying the process of accepting their resignations.  Speaking before Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, Rohatgi prayed for an urgent hearing but was told that the matter could be heard only on Thursday. Attempting to raise some points before the court, he said, “Time is of the essence. It should be heard either today or tomorrow," according to Deccan Herald. In their petition, the rebel MLAs have also said that the administration in the state due to the fluid political situation has taken a hit.   The petition read, ”In recent days, the government has been rocked by various scandals, chief among them were- I) IMA Ponzi scam, in which thousands of people have been cheated of their hard earned monies and yet the main accused has been allowed to leave the country. The allegations are that senior functionaries of the Govt. have been involved in the said scam. I) JSW land scam, wherein land has been given at throwaway prices against public interest.” This is not the first time that matters concerning the Karnataka government will be heard by the country’s top court in an urgent hearing. It may be recalled that in a midnight hearing, the bench comprising of Justices AK Sikri, SA Bobde and Ashok Bhushan heard the case filed by the Congress to stop the oath taking ceremony of BS Yeddyurappa as the CM in May 2018. Meanwhile, senior Karnataka minister and Congress troubleshooter-in-chief DK Shivakumar is camped outside the Renaissance Hotel In Mumbai where the 10 rebel MLAs led by former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi are staying. Under controversial circumstances, DKS who was accompanied by at least two JD(S) legislators – Shivarame Gowda and GT Devegowda – was denied entry into the hotel by the police. Even his reservation at the hotel was cancelled by the management citing “some emergency.” The police presence was due to a letter written by the rebel MLAs to senior Mumbai police officers. Shivaram Hebbar, Pratapgouda Patil, BC Patil, Byrati Basavaraj, ST Somashekar, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Gopalaiah, H Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, and Mahesh Kumatahalli said they feared threat from Shivakumar.  The BJP led by its state president BS Yeddyurappa sat on protests at the Gandhi statue in Vidhana Soudha, the seat of power in Karnataka, seeking the resignation of CM HD Kumaraswamy. A counter protest by JD(S)-Congress was held at the city centre against the mass resignations of the rebel MLAs allegedly at the behest of the BJP. A counter protest by JD(S)-Congress was held at the city centre against the mass resignations of the rebel MLAs allegedly at the behest of the BJP. Former PM HD Deve Gowda and ex-CM Siddaramaiah also joined the protests. When it comes to numbers, the Kumaraswamy government is surviving due to the technicality cited by Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to not accept the resignation of the 13 rebel MLAs. The strength of the Assembly is 224 including Speaker. With the resignation of 13 MLAs, the quorum will reduce to 211. Following the spate of resignations, the Congress-JD(S) coalition has 104 MLAs while the BJP has 107 MLAs on its side.  The coalition does not have the majority to rule the government if the Speaker accepts the resignations. Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said the eight rebel MLAs had to submit their resignations to the Speaker themselves, in person. On the other hand, the Congress has sought disqualification of these warring MLA on grounds of anti-party activities which would make them ineligible to hold public office in the state for the coming six years.  

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Building collapses in Bengaluru: Three including toddler dead, over six rescued

Accident

The under construction building only had permission for three floors, but a fourth was being constructed.

Soumya Chatterjee

At least two women and a four-year-old toddler lost their lives while over six others were rescued on Wednesday morning after an under construction four-storey building collapsed in Bengaluru’s Pulikeshi Nagar area. The deceased has been identified as Manjudevi, wife of a construction worker Ram Balak belonging to one among the four families staying in the building. The other woman who died has been identified as Nirmala, and the deceased child as Anushka. Rs 5 lakh compensation will be given to the family of the deceased, the state government has said. All those rescued have been shifted to Bowring Hospital and are under observation. According to Disaster Management officials, a coordinated effort by firemen, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, and Quick Response Team of the Civil Defense began swiftly. On Wednesday morning, the accident spot was visited by Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, local MLA and former minister KJ George and City Mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun.  Preliminary investigation has revealed that permission was only granted for three floors; however, the building had an extra floor which affected the foundation of the building, leading to the collapse. Speaking to reporters, the Mayor said that that action would be taken against the engineer who sanctioned the construction in violation of the BBMP’s guidelines. She further said the building will be demolished by the BBMP’s technical team once the rescue operations conclude. This tragedy comes less than a month after three labourers had succumbed to their injuries after the collapse of an under-construction water tank in Bengaluru’s Amruthahalli. A pillar, which was constructed to support the inside part of the tank, had developed a crack, resulting in the collapse of the centering. They were constructing a dome. The weight of the dome was too much which resulted in the pillar developing cracks. The project was being carried out after BWSSB (Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board) had issued tenders to construct the STP.  

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Mumbai hotel housing rebels cancels DK Shivakumar's reservation, denies him entry

Politics

The hotel stated that they had to cancel DK Shivakumar's reservation due to "some emergency".

TNM Staff

There was more drama in Mumbai as Congress leader DK Shivakumar rushed to the city on Wednesday with the aim of bringing back 10 rebel MLAs back to the party. After being denied entry into the Renaissance Hotel in Mumbai, where 10 rebel MLAs have been staying for the last two days, DK Shivakumar’ s reservation at the hotel was cancelled.  “As per our conversation we wish to inform you that we have reservation in the name of DK Shivakumar: REZ77566SD2 due to some emergency in the hotel we need to cancel the reservation,” the hotel said.  This comes after the 10 rebel MLAs wrote to the Commissioner of Police in Mumbai alleging they were “threatened” by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and DK Shivakumar who were coming to meet them, and requested the police to not allow them to enter the hotel premises.   “We the following elected members of Legislative Assembly of the state of Karnataka are staying at Hotel Renaissance Powai in Mumbai, we have heard that [Chief Minister] Sri Kumar Swamy and DK Shivakumar and others are going to storm in the hotel premises, we feel threatened for the same. We do not want to meet him, kind request to help us in this matter and do not allow them to enter the hotel premises,” the letter said.  The letter was signed by Shivaram Hebbar, Pratapgouda Patil, BC Patil, Byrati Basavaraj, ST Somashekar, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Gopalaiah, H Vishwanath, Narayan Gowda, and Mahesh Kumatahalli. The rebel MLAs staying in Mumbai made it clear that they intend to follow through with their resignations. When DK Shivakumar reached the hotel in the morning, he was greeted with protests from BJP supporters and was barred from entering the hotel by the police. Police was present in large numbers as the MLAs sought protection. Unable to meet the MLAs, DK Shivakumar had said, "I don't have weapons. I only have a heart. Those are my brothers inside, members of my family. There is an issue going on in the family, but we can't immediately divorce," he said.  At the time, DK Shivakumar said that he had reserved a room, and that anyone could come there. "Is this a BJP hotel? Anyone can come to the hotel. I have booked a room here, I have a card here. I am not a threat. I am here to talk to them," he had said.  "They should be proud of a customer like me. I love Mumbai. I love this hotel. Let them cancel. I have other rooms also," DK Shivakumar told ANI. Meanwhile, rebel Congress MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi told ANI that he doesn’t want to meet DK Shivakumar. “I don't want to meet DKS. I won't meet him for any reason. I have been saying the same for a year and my decision is final,” he said. “Let all this drama end and I will tell you why this has happened, because of who this happened. Right now, there is no reason I will meet DK Shivakumar. We are firm and four more people will join us,” he added.

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