Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 9: "I will strictly go by law and rules. I will not accept resignation letters which were not personally handed over to me by visiting my office," announced assembly speaker Ramesh Kumar.

Speaking to media persons at Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday July 9, he stated that the resignations which were not personally tendered to him will not be accepted. "They had not obtained prior appointment from my office to meet me. I was unaware of their visits. I had left office on personal work. If they had handed over resignation letters in my absence, I am not responsible. If they had sought permission in advance, I would have been in the office then, "he explained.

He said that the legislators who resign have to be individually met and reason for the resignation has to be sought. If they do not personally meet me, the resignations cannot be accepted, he stated.

The Congress is moving towards taking action against 13 MLAs who have resigned, under Anti Defection Law. The lawyers of the party have sought an appointment to meet the speaker in this connection. The Congress has already asked the speaker to act under Anti Defection Law against Gokak MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi, and Athani MLA Mahesh Kumathalli. The party has pointed out that the resignations are not technically correct and has therefore sought their disqualification.