Even as the Janata Dal (S) on Thursday ousted Mr Siddaramaiah as the Legislature Party leader and replaced him with Mr M P Prakash, the rebel leader reiterated that he will not resign and declared that he would continue in the party.

While Mr Prakash assumed office as the JDLP leader in Vidhana Soudha on Thursday evening, Mr Siddaramaiah was forced to defer the legislature party meeting he had convened at 6 pm for want of quorum. While the attendance of 12 legislators is the minimum requirement, hardly eight turned up.

Those who attended the meeting included MLAs B R Patil, H Y Meti, K M Krishnamurthy, H C Mahadevappa, K Venkatesh, Mahadeva and M K Somashekar. Satish Jarkiholi, sent a letter of support to Mr Siddaramaiah, but could not make it to the meet. But “expelled member” Vyjanath Patil was among those present. And though only a handful of MLAs attended the meeting, Mr Siddaramaiah found support in hundreds of followers who thronged his residence ‘Kaveri,’ shouting slogans against Deve Gowda.

Prakash jubilant

While Mr Prakash expressed his jubilation by terming the new position as Bayasade banda Bhagya (“unsolicited fortune)”, Mr Siddaramaiah stood his ground that Mr Prakash’s appointment was illegal. “Why should I resign? So far, the chief minister hasn’t asked me to resign (from the ministry). I hope he doesn’t commit that mistake,” he told reporters after interacting with his supporters.

Meanwhile, secretariat sources said Chief Minister Dharam Singh is expected to forward the recommendation seeking replacement of Mr Siddaramaiah and two other ministers from the Cabinet on Friday. Mr Singh was in Hyderabad on Thursday.

Mr Siddaramaiah, who has filed a caveat before the Speaker, said he would abide by the Speaker’s decision.

Asked what his next move will be, he only said he wanted to take rest for two weeks. He would not be able too make it to office as he suffers from a ligament tear, but would attend State Cabinet meetings if convened.

‘No move to Cong’

He, however, was not inclined towards the Congress ideology at this point, he maintained: “Why should I move to that ideology? I am in the JD(S), have always been here, and have a major role in building the party.”

As for the Gowda camp’s claims of support from a majority of the MLAs, he said there was no way to know this, as neither was he invited to the meeting, nor was the meeting official. “There’s no value for majority in an illegal meeting... and if they feel attending the Hubli convention of backward classes was a crime, let them punish me. I am willing to face any punishment for the backward classes.”

ACTION AND REACTION

Gowda on Siddaramaiah ...

He was burdened with JDLP leadership and holding of apolitical meets

Hence relieved from JDLP leadership to help concentrate on apolitical meets

As DyCM, could have done more for deprived classes

He will continue in JD(S), welcome to advise us

vM P Prakash on Siddaramaiah...

In a democracy, views of MLAs are important

It is an insult to democracy to question majority MLAs’ views

His achievements as FM were also due to contribution from party leaders

Failed to appoint deputy leader, office-bearers for JDLP

Siddaramaiah on Gowda camp:

MLAs who are with Gowda camp will realise their folly and come to me.

Party held a BCs’ meeting in 1998, why Gowda didn’t object then?

Prakash’s appointment illegal

Aug 1 meeting of Thippanna was itself illegal