Bengaluru: It is difficult to accept Karnataka Congress MLA Umesh Jadhav's resignation, said coalition coordination committee head Siddaramaiah. He was speaking to the reporters at Hubballi Airport today.

Umesh Jadhav had tendered his resignation to the Speaker Ramesh Kumar on March 4. However, Siddaramaiah said, "Jadhav was elected on Congress ticket. I have filed a complaint to the Speaker seeking action against four dissident MLAs under anti-defection law including Jadhav."

Thus, as per law, the matter of disqualification has not been decided yet and thus, it is difficult to accept Jadhav's resignation, he added.

"The anti-defection law would apply to the four dissident MLAs, who were involved in defection activities," he said.

Siddaramaiah also added that there were  talks that Jadhav had been paid up to Rs 30 crore for jumping ship.

Cabinet rejig held in December reportedly left four MLAs including Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra, Umesh Jadhav and Mahesh Kumatahalli disappointed. In fact, the four MLAs did not attend the two legislature party meetings, despite being summoned. They did not take part in the Budget session on February 8 too.

Following this, Siddaramaiah complained to the Speaker about the same on January 20 and a decision on their disqualification is still pending.

However, Siddaramaiah also added that ultimately the authority rests with the Speaker to decide on the same.

Sources say that Jadhav is keen on joining the BJP in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 6, when he visits Kalaburagi to address a rally.

Jadhav is a two-time MLA from Chincholi constituency in Kalaburagi district. Both the times, he was elected on a Congress ticket.

Jadhav had lashed out against the "autocratic way of functioning of Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and his son", social welfare minister Priyank Kharge.

If Jadhav joins the BJP, he is likely to be fielded against the Congress candidate in Kalaburagi for the upcoming Lok Sabha election.