Deputy CM Parameshwar accuses governor of encouraging horse trading
Bengaluru, Jul 8: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwar Monday accused governor Vajubhai Vala of encouraging horse trading following a flurry of resignations by Congress and JD(S) legislators threatening the existence of the coalition government in the State.
"Our governor when the MLAs went to submit their resignations to him, there was no necessity for him to chit-chat with them for two hours," he told reporters.
"In the photograph you have published, the governor was sitting with the police officer. If there was any threat to any MLA, if the MLAs had asked for any security then the question of police security arises but the governor called the police commissioner there and discussed with the MLAs for two hours.
In such a situation, we are forced to say that you are responsible for the horse trading," Parameshwar added.
Condemning the statement, former deputy chief minister and BJP MLA R Ashok said it was deplorable that the governor's name has been dragged into the controversy.
Parameshwar spoke to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence where he had called a meeting with ministers of the Congress party in the coalition government to decide a strategy to bail out the government, headed by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, from the crises.
While 13 MLAs resigned earlier including 12 on Saturday, two independent MLAs H Nagesh (Mulbagal constituency) and R Shankar (Ranebennur) withdrew their support to the government Monday.
Parameshwara said he spoke to ministers about the present political developments and its fallout besides measures to be taken to prevent the "destabilising process."
"Some of them (ruling party MLAs) have gone to Mumbai, some are here. We know what the BJP is trying to do and what their game plan is. We are following it very closely.
We need to take steps whatever is necessary including all of us may resign and accommodate the MLAs," Parameshwar said.
The JD(S) and Congress ministers Monday tendered their resignations to give a free hand to the Chief Minister to reshuffle his Cabinet to include rebel MLAs, most of whom are camping in Mumbai.
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KKR defeat LSG via Super Over
Lucknow (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants via Super Overs in a battle between two bottom-placed teams in the IPL, here on Sunday.
Chasing a modest 156, LSG suffered a batting collapse and managed to tie the contest and take it to Super Over with No. 9 Mohammed Shami striking a last-ball six against a wayward Kartik Tyagi, who leaked 16 runs in the final over.
But Sunil Narine bowled a stunning Super Over conceding just one run and taking two wickets to give KKR an easy target.
Rinku Singh then finished the chase with a boundary off first ball from Prince Yadav.
Earlier the KKR were in deep trouble with 93/7 in 15 overs but Rinku smashed a sensational 83 not out from 51 balls including four sixes in a row in the final over to lift them to 155/7.
Cameron Green (34) was the only other batter to reach double-digit scores as KKR suffered a familiar batting meltdown with Mohsin taking his maiden fifer.
In reply, LSG continued their dismal show with the bat to succumb to their fifth loss in a row.
Brief Scores:
Kolkata Knight Riders 155/7; 20 overs (Rinku Singh 83 not out, Cameron Green 34; Mohsin Khan 5/23). Lucknow Super Giants 155/8; 20 overs (Rishabh Pant 42). KKR won via Super Over.
