Congress's Siddaramaiah tweeted saying, I welcome the decision of speaker to disqualify 14 MLAs.

Highlights Siddaramaiah "welcomed" the disqualification of 14 Karnataka lawmakers

Karnataka Speaker disqualified 11 Congress and 3 JDS lawmakers on Sunday

On Thursday, Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar had disqualified 3 lawmakers

Karnataka Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday welcomed Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar's decision to disqualify 14 rebels legislators, saying it will send a strong message to elected representatives across the country who might fall into "BJP's trap".

"I welcome the decision of the speaker to disqualify 14 legislators. This honest decision of speaker will send strong signals for all the representatives in the country who might fall for BJP's trap." he tweeted.

The Karnataka Speaker on Sunday disqualified 14 more rebel legislators with immediate effect after the disqualification of the three lawmakers on Thursday.

However, the former chief minister was evasive when asked by reporters whether the Congress-JDS coalition would continue to survive for the bypolls.

"We will see," he replied.

When asked if any of the rebel lawmakers were in touch with him after the previous round of disqualifications on Thursday, Mr Siddaramaiah was quoted as saying by news agency ANI, "Two of them had called me but I did not speak to them. I do not want to speak about the issue again."

Three Congress lawmakers were disqualified a day before Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa staked claim to form government and was sworn-in on Friday.

I welcome the decision of spreaker to disqualify 14 MLAs. This honest decision of speaker will send strong signals for all the representatives in the country who might fall for @BJP4India's trap.@INCKarnataka — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 28, 2019

The 14 lawmakers are barred from contesting the by-elections till the 15th Assembly completes its term in May 2023, the Speaker told media.

On the elections for the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) on Monday, Mr Siddaramaiah said, "The candidates are supported by the parties. Bheema Naik is supported by Congress and he is one of the aspirants for the KMF chairman's post."

Earlier this month, the rebel legislators had pulled out from the Congress-JD(S) coalition, plunging the coalition government into a minority in the 224-member Assembly. The House has one nominated member.

After days of high-drama and heated debates, the government fell on July 23 as it lost the trust vote.

Karnataka BJP president BS Yediyurappa took oath as the new Chief Minister on Friday and is scheduled to move a vote of confidence motion tomorrow.