New Delhi/ Bengaluru: In a big setback for the Congress, the
Supreme Court has refused to stay the swearing-in ceremony of BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa, in an unprecedented overnight hearing. Mr Yeddyurappa had been invited by Karnataka governor Vajubhai Vala, last evening, to form government in Karnataka and was given 15 days to prove majority on the floor of the house. The Congress wanted the governor's decision to be cancelled, calling it an "encounter of the Constitution". The BJP contends that it should be allowed to form the government as it is the single largest party. The Congress disputes the claim, citing the precedent set by the BJP in Goa and Manipur last year. In both states, the Congress emerged as the single-largest party but the BJP cobbled up alliances and was invited to form the government.
Here are the live updates on race for government formation in Karnataka:
May 17, 2018 06:07 (IST)
"They have asked the government to produce that letter of 15th May, which Yeddyurappa had given to the Governor (Karnataka), at 10:30 am tomorrow": Counsel for petitioners Congress and JDS
May 17, 2018 05:42 (IST)
"As far as swearing-in is concerned, we are not restraining it, but we are making it subject to the outcome of the case," the three-judge bench, comprising justices A K Sikri, S A Bobde and Ashok Bhushan, said.
May 17, 2018 05:39 (IST)
Supreme Court also asked Attorney General KK Venugopal to produce letters written by BS Yeddyurappa to governor to stake claim.
May 17, 2018 05:35 (IST)
Supreme to advocates: "Have a good day!"
May 17, 2018 05:33 (IST)
Supreme Court to further hear the case at 10.30 am on Friday, reports NDTV's A Vaidyanathan.
May 17, 2018 05:29 (IST)
In its order, Supreme Court refuses to stay swearing-in of BS Yeddyurappa.
May 17, 2018 05:22 (IST)
Supreme Court order on the Congress-JDS petition will be pronounced shortly.
May 17, 2018 05:09 (IST)
Supreme Court observes that it can't stop a chief minister from swearing-in.
May 17, 2018 05:04 (IST)
Arguments are still on in Supreme Court after about three hours of hearing.
May 17, 2018 04:38 (IST)
Supreme Court says swearing-in and government formation would be subject to outcome of petition before it.
May 17, 2018 04:36 (IST)
Supreme Court did not dismiss the petition filed by Congress and JDS and said, "This petition is a subject of hearing later on." Supreme Court also issued a notice to respondents including BJP's BS Yeddyurappa, asking to file a reply, reports news agency ANI.
May 17, 2018 04:31 (IST)
Mr Singhvi continues his arguments, says "Defer swearing-in for at least till 4.30 and ask Mr Yeddyurappa to produce the letter he gave to the governor."
May 17, 2018 04:27 (IST)
Mr Singvi says, "Don't stay the swearing-in but defer it for two days."
May 17, 2018 04:21 (IST)
Supreme Court says swearing-in will go on.
May 17, 2018 04:20 (IST)
Mukul Rohatgi cites Uttarakhan's instance and says that Harish Rawat government was restored by the High Court.
May 17, 2018 04:16 (IST)
It is over two hours now that the Supreme Court is hearing the case.