Bengaluru, July 11: After the Congress, the JD(S) Thursday said the party too has approached the Assembly Speaker seeking disqualification of three of its legislators, who are among the 16 MLAs who have resigned, pushing the H D Kumaraswamy-led coalition government to the brink of collapse.
The three MLAs against whom JD(S) has sought disqualification are A H Vishwanath (Hunsur), K C Narayanagowda (K R Pet) and K Gopalaiah (Mahalakshmi Layout).
However, Speaker Ramesh Kumar said he cannot take cognisance of the JD(S)s petition to disqualify the legislators as it was not filed in the proper format.
The party has sought their disqualification for indulging in "anti-party" activities and for giving up membership voluntarily in the interest of justice.
"Yesterday I have filed a petition against three JD(S) MLAs seeking action under anti-defection law. Today I have submitted documents to Speakers office," JD(S) spokesperson Ramesh Babu said in a statement, adding that he was accompanied by advocates.
However, the speaker said he cannot take cognisance of the JD(S)s application to disqualify MLAs as it was not filed in the proper format, and those who have submitted it were neither MLAs nor party leaders in the House.
In its petition seeking disqualification of the MLAs, the JD(S) alleged that the MLAs had participated in "anti-party activities" by identifying themselves with BJP and are now trying to destabilise the coalition government.
The MLAs had addressed the media making serious allegations against the JD(S) and the coalition government, he said, adding they had acted against the directions of the party and had failed to attend the JD(S) legislature party meeting without any valid reasons.
The MLAs had also met the Governor and declared that they had withdrawn support to the government without informing the leaders of the party, the petition said.
"The facts and circumstances clearly demonstrate that the respondents have voluntarily given up the membership of JD(S). In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances it is clear that the MLAs have got themselves disqualified from being the MLAs.
It is therefore clear that the ingredients of section 2(1) (a) of the 10th schedule of the constitution of India had been attracted by them for being disqualified from their membership," it said.
Fighting to save the coalition government, the Congress had on Tuesday sought disqualification of its rebel legislators and accused the BJP of using money power to lure its members .
The party, however, did not move any petition against seven time MLA Ramalinga Reddy, and said he was an "exception."
Among the 16 MLAs who have resigned 13 are from the Congress and three from JD(S).
Meanwhile, Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah and KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao Thursday appeared before the Speaker in connection with the petition they had moved recently seeking disqualification of rebel party MLAs.
"We have moved petition against MLAs under anti-defection law, today hearing was done concerning two members, against other members also we have given petition to Speaker.
He has to decide whether they have to be disqualified or not, only then resignation and other issues will come in...
Our petition is against all members who have resigned, except Ramalinga Reddy," Rao told reporters.
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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.
