Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Tuesday lost a confidence motion and resigned, setting the stage for a change of guard marked by one of the most unseemly chapters in power politics in the country.

The Janata Dal Secular-Congress coalition fell short of six votes against the BJP. While the BJP had 105 members voting against the trust motion, the coalition could ensure only 99 votes in its favour.

Kumaraswamy went to the Raj Bhavan and submitted his resignation to governor Vajubhai Vala, which was accepted immediately.

The members of the BJP, which has been saying it has nothing to do with the desertions from the coalition, flashed victory signs. A BJP leader said the party would stake claim on Wednesday to form the government in the state.

Asked about the future of the JDS-Congress rebel MLAs, a BJP leader said: “We have nothing to do with those who resigned.... We have neither met them, nor spoken to them.”