Mining barons Reddy brothers' loyalist B. Sriramulu on Sunday quit the Karnataka assembly and said he will announce his future plans after touring the state.
Sriramulu is upset that he has not been made a minister again. He was the health minister in the former B.S. Yeddyurappa cabinet and was named in the illegal mining scam, along with the Reddy brothers, G. Janardhana and G. Karunakara.
"I am resigning from the assembly as my image has been damaged following the Lokayukta report. I am going to submit the resignation to Speaker K.G. Bopaiah today (Sunday) and will announce my plans later," said Sriramulu, addressing media.
He did not take any questions.
Sriramulu represents the Bellary rural constituency in iron-ore rich Bellary district, about 300 km from Bangalore. Bellary is the political stronghold of Reddy brothers.
He did not quit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), though there was speculation he might do so to float a regional party with the backing of the Reddys.
The Reddy brothers have also not been included in the Sadananda Gowda ministry, which took office on August 4, four days after scam-hit Yeddyurappa quit on July 31.
There is no immediate threat to the Gowda ministry, which is the second BJP cabinet in the only southern state it is in power, as the ruling party still has 118 legislators and the support of one independent in the 225-member house including one nominated.