Bengaluru, July 1: The JDS-Congress government in Karnataka on Monday suffered another setback after two Congress MLAs resigned from the state Assembly. Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Ramesh Jarkiholi resigned from the state assembly membership and submitted their resignation to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar. The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been keeping a close eye on emerging developments.

"I have submitted my resignation letter to state legislative assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar at his residence, as I am unhappy with the coalition government's decision to sell the land to Jindal steel firm," Singh told reporters. Earlier this year, a scuffle had taken place between Singh and his party colleague JN Ganesh. An MLA from Kampli, Ganesh had allegedly assaulted Singh on January 19 following a heated argument at a resort near Bengaluru. Karnataka: BJP Trying to Topple Congress-JDS Government? Here's The Number Game.

Singh was later admitted to a hospital, while Ganesh was suspended on the directions of state Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao. Singh and Jarkiholi's resignations come at a time when a rift is widening between the Janata Dal (Secular) and Congress coalition in the state after the Lok Sabha elections. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, however, said the BJP can continue to daydream about destabilising Karnataka government. DK Shivakumar Alleges Horse Trading by BJP, Accuses HD Kumaraswamy of Being Lenient.

Kumaraswamy, who is in the US for the foundation laying ceremony of a temple, tweeted: "The foundation laying of Kalabhairaveshwara Temple is going on at New Jersey under the aegis of Swamiji. I am watching all the developments from here. BJP is day dreaming to destabilise the government (sic)." Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah has called a meeting of party legislators to discuss the situation.

Karnataka BJP chief and former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said the party was open to form the government if the JDS-Congress coalition breaks. "Even I have heard about his (Anand Singh's) resignation through media. We don't want to destabilise the government... If the government falls on own its own, we will explore the possibilities of forming the new government but there is no question of fresh elections," Yeddyurappa was quoted by NDTV as saying. (With agency inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 01, 2019 05:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).