Bengaluru: As part of efforts to reach out to dissident MLAs, Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar arrived M.T.B. Nagaraj's residence as early as five am on Saturday morning and camped there for almost half-a-day, trying to pacify the Hoskote MLA. Shortly thereafter Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara too arrived at Nagaraj's house to persuade him to withdraw his resignation.
Nagaraj, who tendered his resignation on July 10, however, kept the Congress leaders on tenterhooks even after day-long deliberations. Earlier in the day, flanked by Congress leaders, he had hinted that he might consider withdrawing his resignation and also said he would try to persuade others.
“Siddaramaiah (CLP leader) and Dinesh Gundurao (KPCC chief) called me and requested me to withdraw the resignation and stay in the party. I have sought time to mull over it. I told them I will speak to Chikkaballapura MLA Sudhakar and persuade him to withdraw his resignation. We are planning to stay here only," Nagaraj told reporters.
Asked if all the differences were sorted out, Nagaraj said he had resigned due to certain "discontentment" and that there was disagreement in every political party. "The party high-command is trying to persuade the MLAs. I will also try my best to help them in their efforts," he added before leaving for Siddaramaiah's residence with some party leaders.
On coming out from Siddaramaiah’s house, Nagaraj said, "Negotiations are going on. He (Siddaramaiah) has spoken good things.” Asked whether he has changed his mind, he said, “We all are trying for it only.” Later, Nagaraj returned to Siddaramaiah's residence, where chief minister H D Kumaraswamy joined the negotiations.
