Koppal: Karnataka BJP leader Jagadish Shettar said Kumaraswamy’s statement over JD(S) leader Prakash's death was “illegal”.  He said that chief minister HD Kumaraswamy should have handled the situation with patience and responsibility, instead of getting emotional and asking for a shootout with respect to the murder of a JD(S) leader at Maddur, Karnataka.  The guilty in the case should be arrested and punished legally, for which BJP would also extend its support, he said.

Shettar also said Kumaraswamy always makes these kind of controversial statements and later apologises. “This incident itself proves that he is unfit to be a chief minister,” he added. 

Also watch: Kumaraswamy’s statement on shootout illegal: BJP leader Jagadish Shettar

Shettar said that as expected, the countdown towards the fall of Kumaraswamy government has begun with the expansion of the Cabinet.

Shettar said to media that state BJP president BS Yeddyurappa would soon come to power in Karnataka. He also stated that the BJP's 104 MLAs are not in contact with the Congress nor the JD(S). “But in Congress, there are 108 groups in the party,” he quipped.

Dissidence in the Congress has been at the forefront with several disgruntled leader voicing their angst against the party after being dropped from the Cabinet in Karnataka.

Earlier, speaking to MyNation, Indian National Congress leader Ramesh Jarkiholi, in a telephonic conversation, said, "I have now reached Bengaluru. About my resignation and next course of action, I will announce later." 

Jarkiholi had earlier said that there are other legislators, who are in touch with him and said that he wouldn't disclose the number now. He also told reporters at Gokak falls that he had been planning to quit the party for the past three months. “My next step will be good for the people of Belagavi district and the state,” Jarkiholi said.