'MODI means...': Randeep Surjewala's tongue-in-cheek response on MLAs resignation

Amid the ongoing crisis in Karnataka, the Congress on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for orchestrating the defections.

“A new symbol of horse-trading politics has emerged in the country, MODI - Mischievously Orchestrated Defections in India,” Surjewala said after a meeting of top party leaders in the national capital. 

Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Motilal Vora, Ahmed Patel, Mallikarjuna Kharge, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jitendra Singh, party communications in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala and Deepender Hooda arrived at the party office here in the evening.

According to party sources, the senior leaders will discuss the Karnataka crisis and the leadership crisis in the party.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that it has nothing to do with Congress-JDS MLAs’ resignation.

“Me and my party have nothing to do with developments in other rival parties. I heard through media that Congress-JDS legislators have resigned from their Karnataka Assembly seats. I'm categorically reiterating that BJP has absolutely no say on the issue,” Yeddyurappa was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Yeddyurappa also said the BJP has no plans yet to move a no-confidence motion in the Monsoon Session of the state assembly commencing July 12, however, they will explore constitutional provisions to form next government. 

“We are closely watching political developments in Karnataka. One thing I can say is that people are not ready for elections. Elections are a burden on state exchequer. If situation arises we'll definitely explore constitutional provisions to form next government,” he said.       

"We never said we will carry out any 'operation' against the Congress or the JDS. We had said some disgruntled (MLAs) may come out," he added. 

On Congress leaders threatening a "reverse operation" against the BJP, he said they had been saying this for the last three months and dared them to carry it out.