Suspended Cong leader Roshan Baig says he will soon resign as MLA
Bengaluru, Jul 8: In fresh trouble for the coalition government hit by a flurry of resignations by MLAs, disgruntled Congress legislator R Roshan Baig, who was suspended last month for his "anti-party" activities, Monday said he would also resign from the State assembly shortly.
The sulking MLA said he would skip the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting Tuesday.
"I have made up my mind almost. I am boycotting the party meeting tomorrow since I have been suspended," Baig told PTI when asked whether he would quit the Congress.
He clarified that he has not made up his mind yet to join the BJP.
"No, no... still not decided (to join BJP).I am still a Congressman but this is final that I am going to resign as MLA," the former minister said.
While 13 MLAs from ruling coalition Congress and the JD(S) resigned earlier including 12 on Saturday, two independent MLAs H Nagesh (Mulbagal constituency) and R Shankar (Ranebennur) withdrew their support to the government Monday.
Baig said he would not resign Tuesday as he has to arrange four flights for Haj pilgrims.
"I am the chairman of the State Haj Committee.
Tomorrow there are four flights (to attend). Hence, I am not going to Mumbai or other places. But I have mentally decided to resign from the assembly," Baig said.
Commenting on the political developments, Baig said such things should not have happened.
"I am punished because I spoke truth. People who have rebelled against the party, no disciplinary action was taken against them. This party is being run at the whims and fancies of a few leaders.
I am selectively targeted," Baig rued.
Hitting out at Congress leaders for the party's performance in the Lok Sabha polls, Baig had recently held CLP leader Siddaramaiah's "arrogance" and KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao's "immaturity" responsible for the "flop show".
He had also called AICC general secretary K C Venugopal a "buffoon."
IMA group founder, Mohammad Mansoor Khan, who is absconding, had recently accused Baig of taking Rs 400 crore from him and not returning it.
Baig has categorically rejected the charge, saying the issue surfaced because of his fallout with some of his political adversaries.
The Enforcement Directorate has filed a money laundering case against the IMA group of companies and Mohammed Mansoor Khan after reports emerged that he has gone underground fearing investments worth crores of about 40,000 investors have tanked.
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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.
