Mumbai, July 8: Rebel legislators based in Sofitel Hotel in Mumbai's Bandra have left for the neighbouring state of Goa as Congress "troubleshooter" DK Shivakumar was enroute the Maharashtra capital to pacify them. Sources close to the dissident MLAs have, however, not confirmed the location where they would be lodged in the coastal state.

Eleven of the rebel MLAs arrived in Mumbai on Saturday, shortly after submitting their resignations at the Karnataka Assembly Speaker's office in Bengaluru. One among them, Soumya Reddy, returned to Bengaluru earlier today to attend the Congress Legislature Party (CLP). Independent MLA Nagesh Withdraws Support to HD Kumaraswamy Government

Shivakumar, before leaving from Bengaluru, said the crisis will be averted after he meets the dissident legislators. "We are in touch with several of them. Many will return back to the Congress-JD(S) fold. This government will survive," he said.

On being asked whether Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy would be forced to relinquish his post, Shivakumar said he is not in favour of "backstabbing" him.

Kumaraswamy, who flew back from the United States on Sunday, asked all the Ministers of the Congress and JD(S) to resign, paving the way for a Cabinet rejig.

The Cabinet restructuring is aimed at pacifying the dissidents -- with top posts in the government likely to be offered to the rebel MLAs. A section of the disgruntled camp has reportedly demanded the replacement of Kumaraswamy, expressing lack of confidence in his leadership.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 08, 2019 08:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).