Bengaluru, July 9: With Karnataka State Speaker Ramesh Kumar previously stated that he is looking at the resignations submitted by the rebel MLAs on Saturday, senior Congress leader Siddharamiah on Tuesday requested the speaker to take legal action against the 13 MLAs under the Schedule 10 of the anti-defection law. He also demanded that the defected lawmakers be barred from contesting elections for the next six years.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, after the Congress party meeting, Siddharamiah claimed that the resignations are null and void and have no resemblance as they defy Schedule 10 of the anti-defection law. The former Chief Minister also claimed that as the resignations are not voluntary and genuine, they are unconstitutional too under the anti-defection law. Karnataka Political Chaos: BJP Lawmaker KS Eshwarappa Claims Kumaraswamy Govt Would Collapse by Friday, All Eyes on Speaker Ramesh Kumar's Move

Siddharamiah said, "We have decided to reshuffle the state Cabinet." Demanding legal action, he said, "As the resignation by MLAs is not voluntary and genuine, we request the speaker to take legal action against the rebel MLAs under the Schedule 10 of the anti-defection law."

Alleging that BJP trying to topple the State Cabinet for the sixth time in last 13 months, the Congress leader alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah are using money power to poach the MLAs.

He also mentioned about the decision taken by the Congress Working Committee on Tuesday and informed, "We will stage a dharna against the undemocratic act of BJP near Mahatma Gandhi statue today for one hour. We will then go to the Speaker's chamber and submit our joint proposal taken by the party."

Considering the number game, after the resignation row, the ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition's total strength is 116 (Congress-78, JD(S)-37 and BSP-1) besides the Speaker. While BJP - with support of two independent rebel MLAs - will have 107 MLAs in a 224-member-strong House. The half-way mark is 113 and if the resignations are accepted by the Speaker, the ruling dispensation in the state will lose the majority, dwindling down to 103 members.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 09, 2019 12:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).