The JD(S)-Congress government in Karnataka plunged into a crisis yesterday after 13 MLAs of the alliance submitting their resignation to the Speaker.

Nine MLAs of the Congress and three of the JD(S) reached the Speaker’s office to put in their papers and later met Governor Vajubhai Vala at the Raj Bhavan.

Rebel JD(S) MLA AH Vishwanath told reporters that 14 MLAs from Congress and JD(S) have resigned but the Assembly secretariat sources said that 13 legislators have put in their papers including Vijayanagara MLA Anand Singh who had submitted his resignation to the Speaker’s office earlier in the week.

The troubled ruling coalition, which has a strength of 118 in the 224-member Assembly, faces the risk of losing majority if the resignations are accepted. The fresh threat to the survival of the 13-month-old government came at a time when Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy was in the US. He is expected to return today.

Both the JD(S) and the Congress have been plagued by dissension over allocation of ministerial berths and distribution of Lok Sabha seats. The cracks became deeper after the BJP swept the Lok Sabha polls in the state.

Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar said whether the government will fall or survive would be decided in the Assembly. The Assembly session will begin on July 12.

Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa said Based on what decision the Speaker will take, the party will think about further action.

Meanwhile, BJP has rejected the Congress’ allegation that it is trying to topple the Karnataka government.  The party said the feud between ruling allies Congress and JD(S) is behind the fresh political instability in the state.

BJP media head  Anil Baluni asserted that his party had no role in the spate of resignations by the ruling alliance MLAs. He alleged that there is a battle for political supremacy within the Congress and the JD(S) and Siddaramaiah does not want the Kumaraswamy government to continue.

Earlier, Congress accused the BJP of trying to bring down its coalition government by buying MLAs. Party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala told media in New Delhi that the Karnataka government having complete majority is now being sought to be pulled down by a spate of defections and resignations.

He alleged that democracy is being denigrated in broad daylight by the BJP. Mr. Surjewala also hit out at  Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister and BJP President Amit Shah over the issue.