C.M. Ibrahim, who had quit the Congress on March 12, resigned from his membership of the Karnataka Legislative Council on March 31. His tenure was to end in June 2024. He also announced his decision to join the JD(S) ‘unconditionally’.
The senior politician had submitted his letter of resignation from the party membership to AICC president Sonia Gandhi on March 12. On March 31, he tendered his resignation as an MLC to Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti. His resignation as MLC coincides with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Karnataka.
“Thursday is an auspicious day for all communities. Hence, I have resigned today. This is a conscious decision. Many more people from the Congress are likely to come along with me. I will not force anyone, but there will be a major storm after Ugadi festival in Karnataka,” he said.
“I have quit the Congress out of my own will. It is not possible to live with self-esteem in the Congress, which is now a sinking ship. I am sure my people will not let me down. I will visit Mantralaya soon and seek the blessings of the lord,” he said.
Replying to queries, he said he would join the JD(S) unconditionally. “Will I lay down any conditions to go back to my house? I know where the kitchen, doors and windows of my house are,” he said.
Mr. Ibrahim, a former Union minister and one-time close associate of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, had joined the Congress in 2008. He had been sulking for some time, upset with the party and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
His decision to quit the Congress came in the wake of the party appointing B.K. Hariprasad as Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, a post Mr. Ibrahim was keen on.
Mr. Ibrahim had left the JD(S) after the 2004 Lok Sabha elections. He was associated with ‘AHINDA’, a social movement forged by minorities, backwards and Dalits in Karnataka and led by Mr. Siddaramaiah, before both joined the Congress.
