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Karnataka minister hands in resignation

Karnataka Panchayat Raj Minister M P Prakash has submitted his resignation to Chief Minister J H Patel in protest against the cabinet decision to postpone the gram panchayat elections in the state.

Disclosing this to journalists today, Prakash said he had forwarded his resignation to the chief minister on January 19.

He said he was forced to take the step since repeated appeals not to postpone the elections had failed to evoke any response. He had also walked out of the cabinet meeting when his suggestion was not heard.

He said senior party leaders -- H D Deve Gowda, S R Bommai, Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had met him and explained the need for postponing the elections, he said adding that based on their request he had resumed his work.

However, he clarified that he had not withdrawn his resignation so far.

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