The Indian National Congress on Thursday expelled its Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who has been accused of rape. The party expelled the suspended MLA from primary membership of the party shortly after a Kerala court dismissed the anticipatory bail plea filed by the suspended MLA. His expulsion comes exactly a year after he took oath as the newly elected Palakkad MLA on 4 December 2024, following a by-election to the constituency. KPCC president Sunny Joseph said in a statement on Thursday that the party had reviewed the allegations against him and decided that Mamkootathil could no longer continue in the organisation. “We had sought the approval of the AICC. AICC has approved. Rahul Mamkootathil stands expelled from the Congress party,” said the KPCC president.&nbsp;Mamkootathil was suspended from the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee in August after he was accused by several women of sexual misconduct.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-to-hold-bidding-again-to-sell-loss-making-national-airline-pia-on-dec-23-asim-munir-s-foundation-among-bidders-1764845432571">Pakistan to hold bidding again to sell loss-making PIA on Dec 23; Asim Munir-controlled firm among bidders</a>&nbsp;The allegations against the Palakkad MLA first came to light after actor Rini Ann George accused a “young prominent politician” of sending her obscene messages and inviting her to a hotel room. While the actor did not name the politician, leaders from BJP and CPI(M) alleged she was referring to the Congress MLA.After George, multiple women raised similar allegations. An audio clip also went viral in which the MLA was purportedly heard asking a woman to abort the baby she was carrying, followed by a threat to kill her.&nbsp;The MLA denied all allegations against him and stated that the audio clip going viral could have been “manufactured and distorted”.Days after these allegations surfaced, a case was filed against the MLA for stalking and harassing women through social media.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-radical-islam-poses-a-grave-threat-to-the-us-and-the-entire-world-marco-rubio-1764786437365">‘Radical Islam poses grave threat to the US and entire world’: Marco Rubio</a>&nbsp;His expulsion came after a Kerala court dismissed his anticipatory bail plea in the first rape case, which was registered after a woman lodged a complaint with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The CM forwarded her complaint to the State Police Chief, leading to a case under charges of rape and coercion to terminate a pregnancy.However, days later, a second rape case was registered by the Crime Branch after a 23-year-old woman submitted a complaint to KPCC President Sunny Joseph.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-to-open-rafah-crossing-let-authorised-gazans-enter-egypt-1764775829988">Israel to open Rafah Crossing, let authorised Gazans enter Egypt</a>&nbsp;She alleged that Mamkootathil repeatedly messaged her expressing his desire to marry her and that her family agreed to consider the proposal after he became Youth Congress state president. According to her, he insisted on a private meeting before meeting her family, took her to a homestay-like building, and sexually assaulted her despite her protests. She suffered injuries and described him as a “sexual predator who uses his position.”&nbsp;Thereafter, several women and a transgender person also levelled allegations against him.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-rob-lie-cheat-destroy-trump-slams-dems-says-he-is-pardoning-rep-henry-cuellar-indicted-on-bribery-charges-1764782626801">‘Rob, lie, cheat, destroy’: Trump slams Dems, says he is pardoning Rep. Henry Cuellar indicted on bribery charges</a>&nbsp;Congress leaders in Kerala welcomed the expulsion of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil from the party and urged him to resign from his Assembly seat as well.

The allegations against the Palakkad MLA first came to light after actor Rini Ann George accused a “young prominent politician” of sending her obscene messages and inviting her to a hotel room. She did not name the politician, but BJP and CPI(M) leaders alleged she was referring to the MLA.

The Indian National Congress on Thursday expelled its Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who has been accused of rape. The party expelled the suspended MLA from primary membership of the party shortly after a Kerala court dismissed the anticipatory bail plea filed by the suspended MLA. His expulsion comes exactly a year after he took oath as the newly elected Palakkad MLA on 4 December 2024, following a by-election to the constituency. KPCC president Sunny Joseph said in a statement on Thursday that the party had reviewed the allegations against him and decided that Mamkootathil could no longer continue in the organisation. “We had sought the approval of the AICC. AICC has approved. Rahul Mamkootathil stands expelled from the Congress party,” said the KPCC president. Mamkootathil was suspended from the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee in August after he was accused by several women of sexual misconduct. Also Read: Pakistan to hold bidding again to sell loss-making PIA on Dec 23; Asim Munir-controlled firm among bidders The allegations against the Palakkad MLA first came to light after actor Rini Ann George accused a “young prominent politician” of sending her obscene messages and inviting her to a hotel room. While the actor did not name the politician, leaders from BJP and CPI(M) alleged she was referring to the Congress MLA. After George, multiple women raised similar allegations. An audio clip also went viral in which the MLA was purportedly heard asking a woman to abort the baby she was carrying, followed by a threat to kill her. The MLA denied all allegations against him and stated that the audio clip going viral could have been “manufactured and distorted”. Days after these allegations surfaced, a case was filed against the MLA for stalking and harassing women through social media. Also Read: ‘Radical Islam poses grave threat to the US and entire world’: Marco Rubio His expulsion came after a Kerala court dismissed his anticipatory bail plea in the first rape case, which was registered after a woman lodged a complaint with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The CM forwarded her complaint to the State Police Chief, leading to a case under charges of rape and coercion to terminate a pregnancy. However, days later, a second rape case was registered by the Crime Branch after a 23-year-old woman submitted a complaint to KPCC President Sunny Joseph. Also Read: Israel to open Rafah Crossing, let authorised Gazans enter Egypt She alleged that Mamkootathil repeatedly messaged her expressing his desire to marry her and that her family agreed to consider the proposal after he became Youth Congress state president. According to her, he insisted on a private meeting before meeting her family, took her to a homestay-like building, and sexually assaulted her despite her protests. She suffered injuries and described him as a “sexual predator who uses his position.” Thereafter, several women and a transgender person also levelled allegations against him. Also Read: ‘Rob, lie, cheat, destroy’: Trump slams Dems, says he is pardoning Rep. Henry Cuellar indicted on bribery charges Congress leaders in Kerala welcomed the expulsion of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil from the party and urged him to resign from his Assembly seat as well.

The allegations against the Palakkad MLA first came to light after actor Rini Ann George accused a “young prominent politician” of sending her obscene messages and inviting her to a hotel room. She did not name the politician, but BJP and CPI(M) leaders alleged she was referring to the MLA.

Congress expels rape accused MLA Rahul Mamkootathil as court dismisses bail plea

Ahead of India's upcoming general elections, Kankar Munjare, Bahujan Samaj Party's&nbsp;Lok Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat, on Saturday (Apr 6) said that he had left his house as he felt that he should not stay under one roof with his wife, Anubha Munjare, who is a Congress MLA.&nbsp;

He stated that two people following varied ideologies should not stay in the same home during polls.

Former MLA and MP Munjare said that he would come back to his residence after the polls that are due on April 19.

"I left my home on Friday and am living in a hut near a dam. If two persons following different ideologies live under one roof, people will think it is match-fixing," he told the news agency PTI.

His wife Anubha, who defeated Bharatiya Janata Party's Gaurishanker Bisen during the Assembly polls in November 2023, expressed disappointment over Munjare's decision to leave the house and said that she was extremely hurt and further claimed that a woman, after her marriage, goes to her marital home to remain there till death.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nia-team-attacked-in-bengals-east-medinipur-officer-injured-during-raid-708369">NIA team attacked in West Bengal’s East Medinipur during raid, officer injured</a>

"When he was Gondwana Gantantra Party candidate from Paraswada here and I was contesting from Balaghat on a Congress ticket, we had stayed together. We have been married for 33 years and have lived happily with our son," she said.

Anubha affirmed that she was a loyal representative of the Congress party and said that would put all efforts in order to make sure that the grand old party's candidate, Samrat Saraswat, wins the Lok Sabha elections from Balaghat.

However, she highlighted that she wouldn't be critical of her husband during the election campaigns.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of India's upcoming general elections, Kankar Munjare, Bahujan Samaj Party's Lok Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat, on Saturday (Apr 6) said that he had left his house as he felt that he should not stay under one roof with his wife, Anubha Munjare, who is a Congress MLA.

Ahead of India's upcoming general elections, Kankar Munjare, Bahujan Samaj Party's Lok Sabha candidate from Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat, on Saturday (Apr 6) said that he had left his house as he felt that he should not stay under one roof with his wife, Anubha Munjare, who is a Congress MLA. He stated that two people following varied ideologies should not stay in the same home during polls. Former MLA and MP Munjare said that he would come back to his residence after the polls that are due on April 19. "I left my home on Friday and am living in a hut near a dam. If two persons following different ideologies live under one roof, people will think it is match-fixing," he told the news agency PTI. His wife Anubha, who defeated Bharatiya Janata Party's Gaurishanker Bisen during the Assembly polls in November 2023, expressed disappointment over Munjare's decision to leave the house and said that she was extremely hurt and further claimed that a woman, after her marriage, goes to her marital home to remain there till death. Also read: NIA team attacked in West Bengal’s East Medinipur during raid, officer injured "When he was Gondwana Gantantra Party candidate from Paraswada here and I was contesting from Balaghat on a Congress ticket, we had stayed together. We have been married for 33 years and have lived happily with our son," she said. Anubha affirmed that she was a loyal representative of the Congress party and said that would put all efforts in order to make sure that the grand old party's candidate, Samrat Saraswat, wins the Lok Sabha elections from Balaghat. However, she highlighted that she wouldn't be critical of her husband during the election campaigns. (With inputs from agencies)

BSP Lok Sabha candidate leaves home as Congress MLA wife had ‘different ideology’

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday morning met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the company of Home Minister Amit Shah, strengthening speculation that he is set to cross over to the BJP a day after he flew out 17 of his loyalist party MLAs.

Jyotiraditya Scindia quits Congress, meets PM Modi, may join BJP today

The 15-month-old Madhya Pradesh government plunged into crisis on Monday with the shock rebellion of Congress general secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia and his faction. Congress is making all attempts to negotiate a compromise with Scindia.

MP Political Drama: Cong leader Scindia switiching loyalties to BJP?

Enraged by his exclusion from the list of ministers from Maharashtra, Congress MLA from the Jalna Assembly seat, Kailash Goryantal stated that he will resign from the party along with his supporters.

"My supporters and I have decided to submit our resignation letters to the state party president. I have been elected as the MLA for the third time and I work for my people. Still, I have not been made a minister," Gorantyal told reporters.

"I will meet Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Balasaheb Thorat and submit my resignation from party posts. Party members of the Jalna Municipal Council, Zilla Parishad will also submit their resignations along with me," he added.

Gorantyal has won from the Jalna Assembly seat in 1999, 2009 and 2019 elections.

Earlier, reports of Shiv Sena leader Abdul Sattar offering to step down from his post in the Cabinet had also surfaced.

Sattar had, however, said that he would hold talks with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and accept the latter`s decision as final.&nbsp;

Enraged by his exclusion from the list of ministers from Maharashtra, Congress MLA from the Jalna Assembly seat, Kailash Goryantal stated that he will resign from the party along with his supporters.

Enraged by his exclusion from the list of ministers from Maharashtra, Congress MLA from the Jalna Assembly seat, Kailash Goryantal stated that he will resign from the party along with his supporters. "My supporters and I have decided to submit our resignation letters to the state party president. I have been elected as the MLA for the third time and I work for my people. Still, I have not been made a minister," Gorantyal told reporters. "I will meet Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Balasaheb Thorat and submit my resignation from party posts. Party members of the Jalna Municipal Council, Zilla Parishad will also submit their resignations along with me," he added. Gorantyal has won from the Jalna Assembly seat in 1999, 2009 and 2019 elections. Earlier, reports of Shiv Sena leader Abdul Sattar offering to step down from his post in the Cabinet had also surfaced. Sattar had, however, said that he would hold talks with Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and accept the latter`s decision as final.

Congress MLA threatens to resign after denied ministerial berth in Maharashtra

The fourteen rebel Karnataka Congress MLAs lodged in a hotel on Monday once again complained of threats from party's top leaders.

In a letter to Mumbai Police, the MLAs said they had “absolutely no intention of meeting Mallikarjun Kharge or Ghulam Nabi Azad or any Congress dignitaries or functionaries from Maharashtra or Karnataka Congress team leaders or any other political leader. We anticipate the serious threat from them and so we, hereby, request to kindly make necessary arrangements to stop these people from meeting us in case the situation arises.”&nbsp;

The 14 MLAs are staying at Hotel Renaissance at Powai in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, opposition BJP reiterated that the coalition has lost majority and demanded that Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy resign immediately or seek a trust vote on Monday itself.&nbsp;

The coalition government is on a shaky wicket with 16 MLAs -- 13 of the Congress and 3 of the JD(S) resigning their assembly membership.&nbsp;

Besides, two independent legislators, who were made ministers recently to provide stability, have quit the ministry and withdrawn support.

(With inputs from agencies)

The fourteen rebel Karnataka Congress MLAs lodged in a hotel on Monday once again complained of threats from party's top leaders. In a letter to Mumbai Police, the MLAs said they had “absolutely no intention of meeting Mallikarjun Kharge or Ghulam Nabi Azad or any Congress dignitaries or functionaries from Maharashtra or Karnataka Congress team leaders or any other political leader.

The fourteen rebel Karnataka Congress MLAs lodged in a hotel on Monday once again complained of threats from party's top leaders. In a letter to Mumbai Police, the MLAs said they had “absolutely no intention of meeting Mallikarjun Kharge or Ghulam Nabi Azad or any Congress dignitaries or functionaries from Maharashtra or Karnataka Congress team leaders or any other political leader. We anticipate the serious threat from them and so we, hereby, request to kindly make necessary arrangements to stop these people from meeting us in case the situation arises.” The 14 MLAs are staying at Hotel Renaissance at Powai in Mumbai. Meanwhile, opposition BJP reiterated that the coalition has lost majority and demanded that Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy resign immediately or seek a trust vote on Monday itself. The coalition government is on a shaky wicket with 16 MLAs -- 13 of the Congress and 3 of the JD(S) resigning their assembly membership. Besides, two independent legislators, who were made ministers recently to provide stability, have quit the ministry and withdrawn support. (With inputs from agencies)

Karnataka crisis: Rebel Congress MLAs write to police over threat from party veterans

Amid ongoing political turmoil in Karnataka, Congress leader <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-congress-minister-shivakumar-arrives-in-mumbai-to-meet-rebel-mlas-234501&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjxh8fgmbHjAhWMFYgKHZOGBXYQFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0hrXppdMDWkpIabkqj_GVs">DK Shivakumar</a> visited the residence of Congress MLA and state minister MTB Nagaraj early on Saturday morning to convince him to take back his resignation.&nbsp;

Hoskote MLA Nagaraj and Chikballapur Congress MLA Dr. K Sudhakar resigned from the Assembly on July 10.

Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar had ruled out accepting their resignations "overnight".&nbsp;

"Two MLAs Dr. K Sudhakar and MTB Nagaraj have resigned from the Assembly.&nbsp;

I have not accepted any resignation, I cannot do it overnight like that.&nbsp;

I have given them time on the 17th.&nbsp;

I will go through the procedure and take a decision," Kumar had said on July 10 while speaking to media persons in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-kumaraswamy-reaches-bengaluru-will-hold-meet-with-jds-congress-leaders-233825&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiZy7WimrHjAhUGfd4KHROnDbg4ChAWMAR6BAgDEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw1JsU9U9APZbRbYdrXYY_-i">Bengaluru</a>.

Meanwhile, on Friday, the Supreme Court took up the pleas of 10 dissident MLAs and directed the Speaker to maintain the status quo on their resignation and disqualification till July 16.

The 13-month-old <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-jds-alliance-going-strong-despite-efforts-to-destabilise-kumaraswamy-235169&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjxh8fgmbHjAhWMFYgKHZOGBXYQFjAAegQIBhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1vg0QtHQcrOK6Uzk45f6uJ">Congress-JD(S) government</a> slumped into crisis following the resignation of 10 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week.

Amid ongoing political turmoil in Karnataka, Congress leader DK Shivakumar visited the residence of Congress MLA and state minister MTB Nagaraj early on Saturday morning to convince him to take back his resignation.

Amid ongoing political turmoil in Karnataka, Congress leader DK Shivakumar visited the residence of Congress MLA and state minister MTB Nagaraj early on Saturday morning to convince him to take back his resignation. Hoskote MLA Nagaraj and Chikballapur Congress MLA Dr. K Sudhakar resigned from the Assembly on July 10. Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar had ruled out accepting their resignations "overnight". "Two MLAs Dr. K Sudhakar and MTB Nagaraj have resigned from the Assembly. I have not accepted any resignation, I cannot do it overnight like that. I have given them time on the 17th. I will go through the procedure and take a decision," Kumar had said on July 10 while speaking to media persons in Bengaluru. Meanwhile, on Friday, the Supreme Court took up the pleas of 10 dissident MLAs and directed the Speaker to maintain the status quo on their resignation and disqualification till July 16. The 13-month-old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 10 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week.

Shivakumar meets rebel Congress MLA MTB Nagaraj in Bengaluru, asks to reconsider resignation

In a fresh setback to Congress in Telangana, another party MLA announced his decision Wednesday to quit the party and join the ruling TRS.

Jajula Surender, MLA from Yellareddy, met TRS working president K T Rama Rao here, TRS sources said.

In a statement, Surender appreciated the TRS government's development and welfare initiatives.

He said he has decided to join TRS after consulting well-wishers.

Announcing his decision to quit Congress, he said he would resign from the MLA post if necessary.

Surender is the 10th Congress MLA to announce his decision to leave the party and join TRS.

Congress had won 19 Assembly seats among the total 119 in the Assembly polls held in December last.

Hitting out at the TRS for allegedly encouraging defection of its MLAs, Congress recently petitioned the Governor E S L Narasimhan on the issue.

The party said it would complain to Lokpal on the alleged defection of its MLAs to the ruling TRS.

Surender's decision came on a day Congress had cause for cheer after its senior leader T Jeevan Reddy emerged victorious in the MLC polls.

TRS sources also said TDP leader Kuna Venkatesam Goud, who unsuccessfully contested from Sanatnagar segment in Hyderabad in the Telangana Assembly polls in December last, also joined the ruling TRS on Wednesday.&nbsp;

In a fresh setback to Congress in Telangana, another party MLA announced his decision Wednesday to quit the party and join the ruling TRS. Jajula Surender, MLA from Yellareddy, met TRS working president K T Rama Rao here, TRS sources said.

In a fresh setback to Congress in Telangana, another party MLA announced his decision Wednesday to quit the party and join the ruling TRS. Jajula Surender, MLA from Yellareddy, met TRS working president K T Rama Rao here, TRS sources said. In a statement, Surender appreciated the TRS government's development and welfare initiatives. He said he has decided to join TRS after consulting well-wishers. Announcing his decision to quit Congress, he said he would resign from the MLA post if necessary. Surender is the 10th Congress MLA to announce his decision to leave the party and join TRS. Congress had won 19 Assembly seats among the total 119 in the Assembly polls held in December last. Hitting out at the TRS for allegedly encouraging defection of its MLAs, Congress recently petitioned the Governor E S L Narasimhan on the issue. The party said it would complain to Lokpal on the alleged defection of its MLAs to the ruling TRS. Surender's decision came on a day Congress had cause for cheer after its senior leader T Jeevan Reddy emerged victorious in the MLC polls. TRS sources also said TDP leader Kuna Venkatesam Goud, who unsuccessfully contested from Sanatnagar segment in Hyderabad in the Telangana Assembly polls in December last, also joined the ruling TRS on Wednesday.

Another Congress MLA quits party in Telangana; to join ruling TRS

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Monday said he was ready to step down, in what has become yet another indicator that all was not well in the Congress-JD(S) coalition.

According to reports Congress MLAs reportedly said: "Siddaramaiah is their leader".

Kumaraswamy said, "Congress MLAs say Siddaramaiah is their leader, Congress leaders have to watch all that issues, I'm not the concerned person for it. If they want to continue with it, I'm ready to step down. They're crossing the line... Congress leaders must control their MLAs."

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a>: Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy says "...If they want to continue with the same thing, I am ready to step down. They are crossing the line", when asked 'Congress MLAs are saying that Siddaramaiah is their CM'.' <a href="https://t.co/qwErh4aEq4">pic.twitter.com/qwErh4aEq4</a>
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Karnataka Dy CM on 'Congress MLAs say Siddaramaiah is their leader'': Siddaramaiah has been best CM. He is our CLP leader. For the MLA, he (Siddaramaiah) is the CM. He has expressed his opinion. What is wrong in that? We are all happy with him (Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy). <a href="https://t.co/bnvAUiM9OA">pic.twitter.com/bnvAUiM9OA</a>
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Denying that there was any trouble, Siddaramaiah said he will speak to Kumaraswamy to clear the air. "You (media) are the people who create trouble. You ask one person, then second person and then third person. There is no trouble," he told reporters.

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Former Karnataka CM &amp; Congress leader Siddaramaiah on 'Congress MLAs say Siddaramaiah is their leader': You (media) are the people who create trouble. You ask one person, then second person and then third person. There is no trouble, I will speak to HD Kumaraswamy <a href="https://t.co/Be7letrUrQ">pic.twitter.com/Be7letrUrQ</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1089785576751054848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The rift between the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) has been evident for months, and there has been speculation over how long the coalition government would survive in Karnataka.&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Monday said he was ready to step down, in what has become yet another indicator that all was not well in the Congress-JD(S) coalition.

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Monday said he was ready to step down, in what has become yet another indicator that all was not well in the Congress-JD(S) coalition. According to reports Congress MLAs reportedly said: "Siddaramaiah is their leader". Kumaraswamy said, "Congress MLAs say Siddaramaiah is their leader, Congress leaders have to watch all that issues, I'm not the concerned person for it. If they want to continue with it, I'm ready to step down. They're crossing the line... Congress leaders must control their MLAs." #WATCH: Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy says "...If they want to continue with the same thing, I am ready to step down. They are crossing the line", when asked 'Congress MLAs are saying that Siddaramaiah is their CM'.' pic.twitter.com/qwErh4aEq4 — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2019 × Karnataka Dy CM on 'Congress MLAs say Siddaramaiah is their leader'': Siddaramaiah has been best CM. He is our CLP leader. For the MLA, he (Siddaramaiah) is the CM. He has expressed his opinion. What is wrong in that? We are all happy with him (Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy). pic.twitter.com/bnvAUiM9OA — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2019 × Denying that there was any trouble, Siddaramaiah said he will speak to Kumaraswamy to clear the air. "You (media) are the people who create trouble. You ask one person, then second person and then third person. There is no trouble," he told reporters. Former Karnataka CM & Congress leader Siddaramaiah on 'Congress MLAs say Siddaramaiah is their leader': You (media) are the people who create trouble. You ask one person, then second person and then third person. There is no trouble, I will speak to HD Kumaraswamy pic.twitter.com/Be7letrUrQ — ANI (@ANI) January 28, 2019 × The rift between the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) has been evident for months, and there has been speculation over how long the coalition government would survive in Karnataka. (With inputs from ANI)

Congress MLAs crossing the line, I'm ready to step down: Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy

In an ugly turn in the ongoing power game in Karnataka, a Congress MLA was injured in an alleged brawl with a colleague lawmaker at a resort even as the party issued notices to its four legislators who skipped a crucial CLP meeting amid BJP's alleged poaching attempt.

Anand Singh was hospitalised after he and JN Ganesh, both from Ballari district, had a heated argument and came to blows late last night at the resort where the party MLAs are herded together, Congress sources said Sunday.

In its notices to four MLAs on Sunday, the party sought to know why action should not be taken against them under the anti-defection law for not attending the Friday's Congress Legislature Party Meeting that was a show of strength against BJP's alleged bid to dislodge the ruling coalition.

Singh has "a black eye and suffered blunt injuries," according to sources at the private hospital where he is undergoing treatment. He had also complained of uneasiness in the chest but was now in the ward and "fine", they added.

Ganesh is among the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/four-congress-mlas-skip-clp-meeting-govt-faces-no-imminent-threat-191291">disgruntled Congress MLAs</a> who was reportedly in touch with other dissidents in the party and on the BJP's radar in its alleged toppling game.

State BJP president B S Yeddyurappa urged Governor Vajubhai Vala and Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to seek a report on the incident involving the two <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/karnataka-two-independent-mlas-withdraw-support-from-congress-jds-govt-190475">MLAs</a>.

Congress spokesperson and former Nizamabad MP Madhu Goud Yakshi said the scuffle was related to some business issue had nothing to do with politics.

"It was personal district related. They are all together in business. The scuffle has nothing to do with politics. They come from the same district and have business relations. It (the fight) is something related to that. It has nothing to do with politics," he said.

The two MLAs had the dinner together in his presence and everything was cordial but after he left the fight broke out, Yakshi told PTI.

Bidadi police under whose jurisdiction the Eagleton resort is located, said they have not received any complaint so far.

A posse of policemen have been deployed in front of the hospital with no visitor being allowed.

"We have not been allowed inside the hospital," Raghunath, a Congress MLA, said.

In a dig at the Congress, BJP tweeted, "It's unfortunate that @KPCCPresident was unable to stop the fight in Eagleton resort. We hope Anand Singh is being treated &amp; we pray for his speedy recovery. Unfortunately @dineshgrao can't even blame BJP now, MLA's were locked up under his watch at Eagleton. Whats ur excuse now?"

Yeddyurappa said Siddaramaiah was answerable for the incident and demanded that police record Singh's statement.

"The brawl between Congress MLAs in a resort and resultant hospitalisation of Anand Singh, has made all 224 legislators hang their heads in shame.

Both the Governor and Speaker must intervene and seek a report on the incident for taking suitable action," he told reporters here.

Senior BJP leader and former Deputy chief minister R Ashok asked the Congress to produce Singh before the media and said police should initiate legal action in the case.

Senior minister D K Shivakumar, however, brushed aside reports that Singh had been assaulted and claimed all the Congress MLAs were united.

"Someone has misled. There was no fracas. There was no incident of smashing of bottle (on Singh's head). It is all fake news. Everyone is together. The entire Congress is united," he said.

As it struggled to keep its MLAs on leash, the Congress Sunday issued notices to Ramesh Jarkiholi, who was dropped as minister in the recent cabinet rejig and is said to be miffed over it, B Nagendra, Umesh Jadhav and Mahesh Kumatahalli, Congress sources said.

Exposing fissures in the party, the four lawmakers had skipped the CLP meet, held amid the political turmoil that broke out on Monday last with BJP MLAs ensconced in a luxury hotel in Gurugram.

The BJP MLAs flew back home last night after Yeddyurappa asked them to return and said the party would not destabilise the Kumaraswamy government.

The absence of four at the CLP meet posed no imminent threat to the seven-month-old Congress-JDS government in the numbers game but suggested the crisis for it was far from over.

In the notice to Jarkiholi, CLP leader Siddaramaiah besides seeking response from him for not attending the MLAs' meeting also asked him to provide an explanation about media reports that he was joining BJP and about his visit to Delhi and Mumbai to meet saffron party leaders.

Asking as to why he has not issued any statement so far rejecting the media reports, Siddaramaiah said "your conduct suggests that you will voluntarily quit from the membership of the Indian National Congress. You have got elected as a legislator on Congress symbol and cannot quit as party member under the Constitution."

Seventy-six of the 80 Congress MLAs had attended the CLP meet.

Ahead of the meet, Siddaramaiah had issued notices to all the party MLAs warning that their absence would be viewed "seriously" and action initiated uner the anti-defection law.

Top Congress sources had said Friday that at least eight party MLAs have "committed" themselves to BJP, an apprehension that caused jitters in the party and made it to shift the legislators to the resort.

As for the BJP camp, party MLC Lehar Singh said all 104 MLAs flew back to the state late Saturday night after Yeddyurappa asked them to return.

Former deputy chief minister K S Eshwarappa said the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in the state would fall due to internal bickering and his party would form the government.

In an ugly turn in the ongoing power game in Karnataka, a Congress MLA was injured in an alleged brawl with a colleague lawmaker at a resort even as the party issued notices to its four legislators who skipped a crucial CLP meeting amid BJP's alleged poaching attempt.

In an ugly turn in the ongoing power game in Karnataka, a Congress MLA was injured in an alleged brawl with a colleague lawmaker at a resort even as the party issued notices to its four legislators who skipped a crucial CLP meeting amid BJP's alleged poaching attempt. Anand Singh was hospitalised after he and JN Ganesh, both from Ballari district, had a heated argument and came to blows late last night at the resort where the party MLAs are herded together, Congress sources said Sunday. In its notices to four MLAs on Sunday, the party sought to know why action should not be taken against them under the anti-defection law for not attending the Friday's Congress Legislature Party Meeting that was a show of strength against BJP's alleged bid to dislodge the ruling coalition. Singh has "a black eye and suffered blunt injuries," according to sources at the private hospital where he is undergoing treatment. He had also complained of uneasiness in the chest but was now in the ward and "fine", they added. Ganesh is among the disgruntled Congress MLAs who was reportedly in touch with other dissidents in the party and on the BJP's radar in its alleged toppling game. State BJP president B S Yeddyurappa urged Governor Vajubhai Vala and Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to seek a report on the incident involving the two MLAs. Congress spokesperson and former Nizamabad MP Madhu Goud Yakshi said the scuffle was related to some business issue had nothing to do with politics. "It was personal district related. They are all together in business. The scuffle has nothing to do with politics. They come from the same district and have business relations. It (the fight) is something related to that. It has nothing to do with politics," he said. The two MLAs had the dinner together in his presence and everything was cordial but after he left the fight broke out, Yakshi told PTI. Bidadi police under whose jurisdiction the Eagleton resort is located, said they have not received any complaint so far. A posse of policemen have been deployed in front of the hospital with no visitor being allowed. "We have not been allowed inside the hospital," Raghunath, a Congress MLA, said. In a dig at the Congress, BJP tweeted, "It's unfortunate that @KPCCPresident was unable to stop the fight in Eagleton resort. We hope Anand Singh is being treated & we pray for his speedy recovery. Unfortunately @dineshgrao can't even blame BJP now, MLA's were locked up under his watch at Eagleton. Whats ur excuse now?" Yeddyurappa said Siddaramaiah was answerable for the incident and demanded that police record Singh's statement. "The brawl between Congress MLAs in a resort and resultant hospitalisation of Anand Singh, has made all 224 legislators hang their heads in shame. Both the Governor and Speaker must intervene and seek a report on the incident for taking suitable action," he told reporters here. Senior BJP leader and former Deputy chief minister R Ashok asked the Congress to produce Singh before the media and said police should initiate legal action in the case. Senior minister D K Shivakumar, however, brushed aside reports that Singh had been assaulted and claimed all the Congress MLAs were united. "Someone has misled. There was no fracas. There was no incident of smashing of bottle (on Singh's head). It is all fake news. Everyone is together. The entire Congress is united," he said. As it struggled to keep its MLAs on leash, the Congress Sunday issued notices to Ramesh Jarkiholi, who was dropped as minister in the recent cabinet rejig and is said to be miffed over it, B Nagendra, Umesh Jadhav and Mahesh Kumatahalli, Congress sources said. Exposing fissures in the party, the four lawmakers had skipped the CLP meet, held amid the political turmoil that broke out on Monday last with BJP MLAs ensconced in a luxury hotel in Gurugram. The BJP MLAs flew back home last night after Yeddyurappa asked them to return and said the party would not destabilise the Kumaraswamy government. The absence of four at the CLP meet posed no imminent threat to the seven-month-old Congress-JDS government in the numbers game but suggested the crisis for it was far from over. In the notice to Jarkiholi, CLP leader Siddaramaiah besides seeking response from him for not attending the MLAs' meeting also asked him to provide an explanation about media reports that he was joining BJP and about his visit to Delhi and Mumbai to meet saffron party leaders. Asking as to why he has not issued any statement so far rejecting the media reports, Siddaramaiah said "your conduct suggests that you will voluntarily quit from the membership of the Indian National Congress. You have got elected as a legislator on Congress symbol and cannot quit as party member under the Constitution." Seventy-six of the 80 Congress MLAs had attended the CLP meet. Ahead of the meet, Siddaramaiah had issued notices to all the party MLAs warning that their absence would be viewed "seriously" and action initiated uner the anti-defection law. Top Congress sources had said Friday that at least eight party MLAs have "committed" themselves to BJP, an apprehension that caused jitters in the party and made it to shift the legislators to the resort. As for the BJP camp, party MLC Lehar Singh said all 104 MLAs flew back to the state late Saturday night after Yeddyurappa asked them to return. Former deputy chief minister K S Eshwarappa said the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in the state would fall due to internal bickering and his party would form the government.

Karnataka turmoil: MLA hurt in alleged brawl with fellow Congress lawmaker

Congress MLA Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan carried a used teargas shell into the Kerala Assembly Wednesday.&nbsp;

Radhakrishnan showed the shell to the Speaker, saying it had been used to disperse Youth Congress protesters last week.

Radhakrishnan said the shell was beyond its expiry date, but that the police had still used it. The implication was that the police had used expired ammunition on the Youth Congress protesters.&nbsp;

News reports quoted Radhakrishnan as saying that this was &quot;police raj&quot;.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Radhakrishnan later submitted the shell to the speaker.&nbsp;

Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said the shell was beyond its expiry date, but that police had used it to disperse Youth Congress protesters last week

Congress MLA Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan carried a used teargas shell into the Kerala Assembly Wednesday. Radhakrishnan showed the shell to the Speaker, saying it had been used to disperse Youth Congress protesters last week. Radhakrishnan said the shell was beyond its expiry date, but that the police had still used it. The implication was that the police had used expired ammunition on the Youth Congress protesters. News reports quoted Radhakrishnan as saying that this was "police raj". Radhakrishnan later submitted the shell to the speaker.

Congress MLA carries teargas shell into Kerala Assembly

Congress MLA Asha Kumari who had <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-mla-apologizes-says-cop-should-have-shown-restraint-as-im-her-mothers-age-28046" target="_blank">entered into a scuffle</a> with a lady constable in Himachal Pradesh has lodged a complaint against the woman constable.

She said that the lady constable had prevented her from discharging her duties.

She said &quot; I was pushed, manhandled, threatened&nbsp;with dire consequences. I was on my official duty as the lady constable has prevented me from discharging my public duty.&quot;

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Congress MLA Asha Kumari has lodged complaint against the woman constable, requesting an FIR in this regard; says &quot;I was pushed, manhandled,threatened with dire consequences. I was on my official duty as such the lady constable has prevented me from discharging my public duty&quot;
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946806110647861248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The woman constable, on the other hand, has already lodged an FIR against the&nbsp;lady.&nbsp;She said that had she slapped the MLA&nbsp;for her self-protection.

The woman constable&nbsp;had said earlier that she was on duty for crowd control. She was performing her duty when the MLA said &quot;you don&#39;t know me, my power.&quot;

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We were there on duty for crowd control.A lady came &amp; I stopped her, she said &#39;you don&#39;t know me, my power&#39;. I didn&#39;t know who she was.She slapped me thrice. It was only later when I got to know she is a MLA:Constable who slapped back Cong&#39;s Asha Kumari on being assaulted <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Shimla?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Shimla</a> <a href="https://t.co/LdVy9p5LHm">pic.twitter.com/LdVy9p5LHm</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/946804687323275264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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A&nbsp;video went viral showing Congress MLA Asha Kumari slapping a woman constable on duty during party chief Rahul Gandhi&#39;s visit to Himachal Pradesh. The constable&nbsp;gave back&nbsp;two slaps in return to the MLA.&nbsp;

Former minister Dhani Ram Shandil had to intervene to quell the frayed tempers.

The Congress MLA later tendered an apology for the incident, saying &quot;the lady constable misbehaved, abused me and almost beat me, but I should not have lost my calm. I am sorry for the incident&quot;.

The scuffle broke out when the police refused to allow the MLA into a meeting being chaired by Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

Congress MLA Asha Kumari who had entered into a scuffle with a lady constable in Himachal Pradesh has lodged a complaint against the woman constable

Congress MLA Asha Kumari who had entered into a scuffle with a lady constable in Himachal Pradesh has lodged a complaint against the woman constable. She said that the lady constable had prevented her from discharging her duties. She said " I was pushed, manhandled, threatened with dire consequences. I was on my official duty as the lady constable has prevented me from discharging my public duty." Congress MLA Asha Kumari has lodged complaint against the woman constable, requesting an FIR in this regard; says "I was pushed, manhandled,threatened with dire consequences. I was on my official duty as such the lady constable has prevented me from discharging my public duty" — ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2017 × The woman constable, on the other hand, has already lodged an FIR against the lady. She said that had she slapped the MLA for her self-protection. The woman constable had said earlier that she was on duty for crowd control. She was performing her duty when the MLA said "you don't know me, my power." We were there on duty for crowd control.A lady came & I stopped her, she said 'you don't know me, my power'. I didn't know who she was.She slapped me thrice. It was only later when I got to know she is a MLA:Constable who slapped back Cong's Asha Kumari on being assaulted #Shimla pic.twitter.com/LdVy9p5LHm — ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2017 × A video went viral showing Congress MLA Asha Kumari slapping a woman constable on duty during party chief Rahul Gandhi's visit to Himachal Pradesh. The constable gave back two slaps in return to the MLA. Former minister Dhani Ram Shandil had to intervene to quell the frayed tempers. The Congress MLA later tendered an apology for the incident, saying "the lady constable misbehaved, abused me and almost beat me, but I should not have lost my calm. I am sorry for the incident". The scuffle broke out when the police refused to allow the MLA into a meeting being chaired by Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

Himachal: Congress MLA files complaint against woman constable who slapped her back

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