Amid the ongoing political turmoil in Karnataka following the resignation of 11 MLAs of the Congress-JD(S) coalition, Irrigation Minister and senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar on Saturday accepted that he tore the resignation letters of some of the dissident MLAs."Why should I not? Let them file a complaint. If they want to put me behind the bars, I'm ready. I am already facing a lot of issues. I don't mind about all these things. I have taken a very big risk. Definitely, I won't say no. I know someone has recorded it. Let him release it. What is wrong in it," he said while talking to reporters.

He was responding to media questions about the allegations that he tore the resignation of the some of the MLAs.

"To protect my party... to protect my friends...they have been with me. I have fought their election. I went to their election. I have contributed to their election in my own way. As a party worker, I have done it. I should not see that they have been misguided," he added.

Earlier in the day, BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa had alleged that SK Shivakumar tore the resignation of some of the MLAs inside the Speaker's office.

"People are watching the way DK Shivakumar is behaving. He tore the resignation letters of some of the MLAs inside the Speaker's office, who had gone to resign. It is condemnable," he had said.

Shivakumar, however, said that "good sense" will prevail upon them (dissident MLAs).

"They have been hurt by the system. They are saying some small stories. This is not the story to go and resign. But it is shocking to all of us. I think that good sense will prevail upon all of them. There is a lot of time. There is a procedure involved in this. Let us see. My BJP friends are doing their best," he said.

This comes after rebel JD(S) MLA H Vishwanath claimed that 14 MLAs have tendered their resignations to Speaker AR Ramesh Kumar.

Vishwanath's claim comes in the backdrop of dramatic developments on Saturday when 11 of the coalition MLAs handed over their resignation to the Speaker`s office pushing the government into a minority.

Amid the ongoing political turmoil in Karnataka following the resignation of 11 MLAs of the Congress-JD(S) coalition, Irrigation Minister and senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar on Saturday accepted that he tore the resignation letters of some of the dissident MLAs.

Amid the ongoing political turmoil in Karnataka following the resignation of 11 MLAs of the Congress-JD(S) coalition, Irrigation Minister and senior Congress leader DK Shivakumar on Saturday accepted that he tore the resignation letters of some of the dissident MLAs."Why should I not? Let them file a complaint. If they want to put me behind the bars, I'm ready. I am already facing a lot of issues. I don't mind about all these things. I have taken a very big risk. Definitely, I won't say no. I know someone has recorded it. Let him release it. What is wrong in it," he said while talking to reporters. He was responding to media questions about the allegations that he tore the resignation of the some of the MLAs. "To protect my party... to protect my friends...they have been with me. I have fought their election. I went to their election. I have contributed to their election in my own way. As a party worker, I have done it. I should not see that they have been misguided," he added. Earlier in the day, BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa had alleged that SK Shivakumar tore the resignation of some of the MLAs inside the Speaker's office. "People are watching the way DK Shivakumar is behaving. He tore the resignation letters of some of the MLAs inside the Speaker's office, who had gone to resign. It is condemnable," he had said. Shivakumar, however, said that "good sense" will prevail upon them (dissident MLAs). "They have been hurt by the system. They are saying some small stories. This is not the story to go and resign. But it is shocking to all of us. I think that good sense will prevail upon all of them. There is a lot of time. There is a procedure involved in this. Let us see. My BJP friends are doing their best," he said. This comes after rebel JD(S) MLA H Vishwanath claimed that 14 MLAs have tendered their resignations to Speaker AR Ramesh Kumar. Vishwanath's claim comes in the backdrop of dramatic developments on Saturday when 11 of the coalition MLAs handed over their resignation to the Speaker`s office pushing the government into a minority.

Karnataka crisis: Congress leader and Minister Shivakumar accepts he tore resignation letters of dissident MLAs

The BJP on Saturday said that the party is ready to form the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kumaraswamy-led-govt-in-karnataka-in-trouble-as-11-ruling-party-lawmakers-resign-233558">government in Karnataka</a> after 11 MLAs resigned from ruling Congress-JD(S) coilation government.

Party leader and Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister DV Sadananda Gowda told reporters in Bengaluru that MLAs thought it's high time to come out of that party as they felt that continuing as MLAs was not good in the larger interest of their constituency and the state.

When asked whether BJP will form the government, he said Governor is the supreme authority. ''As per the constitutional mandate if he (Governor) calls us, certainly we are ready to form the government. We are the single largest party, we have got 105 people with us,'' he added.

Gowda, however, denied that the BJP had any role in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-congress-in-charge-kc-venugopal-rushes-to-delhi-after-11-mlas-resign-233566">MLAs resignations</a>. ''No BJP leader or MLAs were behind them. They voluntarily went to the Speaker and submitted their resignation. So it shows there is no interference by the BJP at any point as far as resignations are concerned," he said.

Asked about the chief ministerial candidate, he said that BS Yeddyurappa has been declared as the chief ministerial candidate.&nbsp;

"He will be the Chief Minister if a new government is formed," added Gowda.

The BJP on Saturday said that the party is ready to form the government in Karnataka after 11 MLAs resigned from ruling Congress-JD(S) coilation government. Party leader and Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister DV Sadananda Gowda told reporters in Bengaluru that MLAs thought it's high time to come out of that party as they felt that continuing as MLAs was not good in the larger interest of their constituency and the state.

The BJP on Saturday said that the party is ready to form the government in Karnataka after 11 MLAs resigned from ruling Congress-JD(S) coilation government. Party leader and Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister DV Sadananda Gowda told reporters in Bengaluru that MLAs thought it's high time to come out of that party as they felt that continuing as MLAs was not good in the larger interest of their constituency and the state. When asked whether BJP will form the government, he said Governor is the supreme authority. ''As per the constitutional mandate if he (Governor) calls us, certainly we are ready to form the government. We are the single largest party, we have got 105 people with us,'' he added. Gowda, however, denied that the BJP had any role in MLAs resignations. ''No BJP leader or MLAs were behind them. They voluntarily went to the Speaker and submitted their resignation. So it shows there is no interference by the BJP at any point as far as resignations are concerned," he said. Asked about the chief ministerial candidate, he said that BS Yeddyurappa has been declared as the chief ministerial candidate. "He will be the Chief Minister if a new government is formed," added Gowda.

Ready to form government in Karnataka, says BJP

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-stay-yeddyurappas-swearing-in-ceremony-137537">In </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-stay-yeddyurappas-swearing-in-ceremony-137537">late-night</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-stay-yeddyurappas-swearing-in-ceremony-137537"> hearing, Supreme Court refuses to stay Yeddyurappa's swearing-in ceremony</a>

The Supreme Court today refused to stay BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa's swearing-in as Karnataka Chief Minister after a rare pre-dawn hearing which saw the Congress-JD (S) combine making a last-ditch attempt to stall the saffron party's surge in the southern state.

The top court, which commenced the hearing at 2.11 am and ended at 5.28 am, however made it clear that the swearing-in and the government formation in the state would be subject to the final outcome of the case before it.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-natak-in-karnataka-continues-both-sides-to-meet-governor-mlas-report-poaching-attempts-137278">Live: Yeddyurappa&nbsp;sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister&nbsp;</a>

The BJP's BS Yeddyurappa was sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister today

Yeddyurappa took oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka after the Supreme Court early today morning decided not to put a stay on the swearing-in while conducting a post-midnight hearing.

Yeddyurappa, who succeeds Siddaramaiah, took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka at 9.00 am at the Raj Bhavan.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545">Trump discloses payment to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545">attorney</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545"> who paid off </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545">porn</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545"> star</a>

President Donald Trump has formally disclosed that he reimbursed his personal attorney more than $100,000 last year, apparently in connection with the payment of hush money to a porn star, government records show.

The disclosure caps a series of contradictory statements from Trump and his representatives on the scandal swirling around lawyer Michael Cohen -- which has widened to ensnare major corporations and a Russian oligarch.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/north-korea-pledges-not-to-create-security-concerns-for-india-137548">North Korea pledges not to create security concerns for India</a>

Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs General VK Singh (retired) became the first Indian minister to visit North Korea in 20 years as the latter pledged not to ever create concerns for India's security.

The MoS highlighted the threat posed to India from nuclear proliferation. In response to that, North Korea emphasised that being a friendly country, it will never allow any actions that would create concerns for India's security.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-again-defers-decision-on-justice-josephs-elevation-to-supreme-court-137556">Collegium again defers </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-again-defers-decision-on-justice-josephs-elevation-to-supreme-court-137556">decision</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-again-defers-decision-on-justice-josephs-elevation-to-supreme-court-137556"> on Justice Joseph's elevation to Supreme Court</a>

The Supreme Court Collegium Wednesday again deferred its decision on the issue of recommending Uttarakhand Chief Justice KM Joseph for elevation to the top court after it was returned by the Centre. An apex court official said that no decision has been taken as to when the recommendation will be sent to the Centre.

The Collegium comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and four senior-most judges — justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, M B Lokur and Kurian Joseph — deliberated for more than an hour.

Official details on the outcome of the meeting were awaited. This was the Collegium's second meeting in five days.

In late-night hearing, Supreme Court refuses to stay Yeddyurappa's swearing-in ceremony The Supreme Court today refused to stay BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa's swearing-in as Karnataka Chief Minister after a rare pre-dawn hearing which saw the Congress-JD (S) combine making a last-ditch attempt to stall the saffron party's surge in the southern state. The top court, which commenced the hearing at 2.11 am and ended at 5.28 am, however made it clear that the swearing-in and the government formation in the state would be subject to the final outcome of the case before it. Live: Yeddyurappa sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister The BJP's BS Yeddyurappa was sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister today Yeddyurappa took oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka after the Supreme Court early today morning decided not to put a stay on the swearing-in while conducting a post-midnight hearing. Yeddyurappa, who succeeds Siddaramaiah, took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka at 9.00 am at the Raj Bhavan. Trump discloses payment to attorney who paid off porn star President Donald Trump has formally disclosed that he reimbursed his personal attorney more than $100,000 last year, apparently in connection with the payment of hush money to a porn star, government records show. The disclosure caps a series of contradictory statements from Trump and his representatives on the scandal swirling around lawyer Michael Cohen -- which has widened to ensnare major corporations and a Russian oligarch. North Korea pledges not to create security concerns for India Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs General VK Singh (retired) became the first Indian minister to visit North Korea in 20 years as the latter pledged not to ever create concerns for India's security. The MoS highlighted the threat posed to India from nuclear proliferation. In response to that, North Korea emphasised that being a friendly country, it will never allow any actions that would create concerns for India's security. Collegium again defers decision on Justice Joseph's elevation to Supreme Court The Supreme Court Collegium Wednesday again deferred its decision on the issue of recommending Uttarakhand Chief Justice KM Joseph for elevation to the top court after it was returned by the Centre. An apex court official said that no decision has been taken as to when the recommendation will be sent to the Centre. The Collegium comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and four senior-most judges — justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, M B Lokur and Kurian Joseph — deliberated for more than an hour. Official details on the outcome of the meeting were awaited. This was the Collegium's second meeting in five days.

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