R Shankar, Karnataka Minister and independent MLA, resigns from council of ministers

Karnataka minister and independent MLA R Shankar on Monday resigned from the council of ministers. He has also offered his support to the BJP. This came hours after another Independent MLA Nagesh resigned. The Congress-JDS alliance which was previously hanging at 106 after the resignation of 13 legislators loses its simple majority in the scenario that all resignations are accepted, and stands at 104.

Reportedly, Shankar will also be flying to Mumbai from where all the rebel MLAs will be taken to Goa on Monday evening. According to a press statement, R Shankar met Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala after submitting his resignation letter to Chief Minister HD Kumarswamy.

R Shankar has extended his support to Bharatiya Janata Party, the press statement read. With R Shankar turning sides, the number of BJP MLAs in Karnataka has gone up to 107. R Shankar is known to switch sides between the Congress and the BJP.

Nagesh on Monday resigned and withdrew support to ruling Congress-JDS alliance, delivering another blow to the shaky JD(S)-Congress coalition ruling the state. Soon after putting in their papers, the 10 MLAs now staying at the hotel, had boarded a chartered flight to Mumbai and arrived there late Saturday night, sources close to them said. Nagesh was recently inducted into the ministry as small scale industries minister.

The Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka has plunged into a crisis and the ruling coalition faces the risk of losing its majority if the resignations are accepted.

The Maharashtra BJP has claimed that it was not aware of the presence of 10 dissident MLAs of the Congress-JD(S) combine from Karnataka in Mumbai, even as a saffron party leader was spotted at the hotel where the legislators are put up.

Maharashtra BJP legislator Prasad Lad was seen at the hotel on Sunday and Monday. He did not speak to the media.