DK Shivakumar warns Congress MLAs threatening to resign over the Cabinet expansion | File image/PTI 
Karnataka

'If anyone resigns, I'll accept within minutes': Karnataka CM warns MLAs against quitting Congress

Karnataka Chief Minister says resignation threats would not pressure the Congress, stressing that the party is more important than any post.

In a stern warning issued to disgruntled Congress MLAs threatening to resign as they were left out in the cabinet expansion, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Tuesday said that the party is important; if they resign, it will be accepted within a few minutes.

The CM, urging the disgruntled legislators to be patient and wait for their opportunity, said posts in state-run boards and corporations will be filled up soon.

'Party is important...'

"I have said whatever I have to... resignations keep happening in politics. No one can stop those resigning. If they want the party and their future, the party is important. If there is party there is everything else," Shivakumar said in response to a question about MLAs threatening to resign.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I too could have resigned as I was not made minister during the CM tenures of Dharam Singh and Siddaramaiah. Didn't both Parameshwara (Deputy CM) and I remain patient? When Veerendra Patil was CM, Bangarappa, Kharge (AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge) and Dharam Singh were not made Ministers. Didn't Bangarappa and Singh become CMs later? One needs to have patience."

Asserting that the party is more important, the CM said, "If anyone gives resignation, within a few minutes I'm going to accept."