Bengaluru: As the Speaker of Karnataka assembly Ramesh Kumar announced that all the remaining MLAs (he had disqualified 3 MLAs earlier) on Sunday (July 28), reactions have come in thick and fast.

Senior lawyer BV Acharya had to say this: It is unconstitutional. It is in contempt of the Supreme Court. He has no right to deal with the issue of disqualification. It is opposed to principles of natural justice. He has given only 2-3 days to respond. He has disqualified them till 2023. It is expressly unconstitutional.

AH Vishwanath disqualified JD(S) MLA: I have read it. It is a quasi-judicial court. He is an MLA too. He is a judge too. He has not studied the matter in detail. It is not a court that punishes us. He has not respected our resignations. He spoke only about our disqualification, but not our resignations. I have been in politics for a long time. It is a hurried decision. We will go to higher courts. Speaker has spoken only about KPCC chief Dinesh Gundu Rao, CLP leader Siddaramaiah but not disgruntled elements. As many as 20 MLAs have resigned. It is not a child’s play.

Govind Karjol, BJP MLA, Mudhol: On a Sunday, he has done it. 14 MLAs have been disqualified. It is not in consonance with law. He has played to the tunes of the Congress. It is a wrong decision.

SR Vishwanath, BJP MLA, Yelahanka: He has called an emergency press meet on a Sunday. He has disqualified 14 MLAs. In a hurry to create history, he has done it. When the Supreme Court itself has ruled in their favour, how can he do it? It is an insult to the SC. It is a black mark on democracy. When an MLA tenders his resignation, it must be accepted. These MLAs will approach the SC and get justice.

Finally, the Speaker himself spoke:

Ramesh Kumar, Speaker: Please read the order copy. I can’t talk in public. It’s a very sad day. I have got relief now. I have to face backlash. But I will digest it. If I have done anything wrong, I will rectify it. I am open to criticism as well.