Bangalore:: In a sudden political development, three Karnataka MLAs, including two from the JD(S), resigned their assembly membership and joined the ruling BJP. Those who resigned their membership are —Asnotikar Anand Vasant of the Congress representing Karwar constituency, former minister Balachandra Laxmanrao Jarakhiholi and K Shivanagouda Naik of the JD(S).

The three met Assembly Speaker Jagadish Shettar and submitted their resignations. Shettar said he had accepted the resignations of all the three MLAs. Jharakiholi and Naik had been elected on JD(S) tickets in the May assembly elections from Arabhavi and Devadurgas (ST) constituencies respectively.