In a swift political development, Karnataka Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh today submitted his resignation to the Governor T.N. Chaturvedi ending a constitutional crisis. Later, addressing a media conference at his Home Office Krishna at 2.15 p. m, Dharam Singh disclosed that he had resigned. He said he was not sad for losing power, as he was not born with a dream to become a Chief Minister.

He gave vent to his ire against Assembly Speaker Krishna for adjourning the Assembly sine die yesterday thus denying him an opportunity to prove his majority.

His resignation has brought an end to the 20 – month - old volatile Cong – JD (S) coalition regime.

The resignation follows the Chief Minister's meeting with the Governor at Raj Bhavan in the morning.

According to reliable sources, the Governor reportedly declined to give one more opportunity to Dharam Singh to prove his majority on the floor of the House. The Governor reportedly advised the Chief Minister to resign as his Government had lost majority and he failed to move confidence motion in the Assembly yesterday.

It is also said that the Governor clearly indicated another option before him if the Chief Minister declined to resign — the Constitutional provision to sack the Government. Dharam Singh drove from Raj Bhavan to Kumara Krupa Guest House to meet AICC (I) General Secretary A. K. Antony to brief about the meeting with the Governor.

According to reliable sources, Antony consulted the Party President Sonia Gandhi, who instructed the Chief Minister to resign.

The Chief Minister reportedly sent his resignation letter through a special messenger to the Governor from the Guest House. The indication of Dharam Singh's resignation was available to the media persons in the morning itself when Dharam Singh came out of the Raj Bhavan in a huff. Soon after Dharam Singh left Raj Bhavan, the Governor summoned Assembly Speaker Krishna to Raj Bhavan to verify the list of MLAs who are supporting H. D. Kumaraswamy.

It is not known whether the Governor has asked the CM to continue till alternative arrangements were made. However, there are strong rumours that the Governor may invite Kumaraswamy to form new Government.

Governor talks to CJ:
The Raj Bhavan was the centre of hectic activity today, a day after the stormy Assembly session, with the Governor T. N. Chaturvedi holding series of meetings with legal experts and political party leaders to end the constitutional crisis in the wake of yesterday's developments.

The Governor held consultations with Chief Justice of Karnataka Mr. Justice Cyriac Joseph at Raj Bhavan in the morning.

Later, Advocate General B. T. Parthasarathy met the Governor and expressed his views.

Assembly Speaker Krishna also met the Governor and briefed him about the yesterday' s developments in the Assembly where the Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh failed to move confidence motion despite his instructions. Karnataka Governor T. N. Chaturvedi on Saturday evening invited Janata Dal - Secular rebel leader H. D. Kumaraswamy to form the government soon after Chief Minister Dharam Singh resigned.

"I have decided to invite Kumaraswamy to form his government at the earliest as I believe, on the basis of written letters of support from the BJP and JD (S), he is in a position to command a majority in the House," the governor said.

He has given Kumaraswamy eight days to prove his majority on the floor of the House.

Courtesy: Star of Mysore