Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala today wrote to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, asking him to prove majority of the his government by 1:30 pm tomorrow.
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy had moved the confidence motion in the state Assembly with the 14-month old Congress-JDS government headed by him hanging by a thread after a rebellion by a section of ruling coalition lawmakers. With the numbers stacked against the ruling coalition, Kumaraswamy moved a one-line motion, saying that the House expresses confidence in the ministry headed by him.
Sixteen legislators - 13 from the Congress and three from JDS - have resigned in the last two weeks, while two independent legislators have withdrawn their support to the coalition government. The resignations, if accepted, will bring down the ruling coalition's strength in the 225-member assembly to 100 from 118.
Ahead of the trust vote, BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa had expressed confidence that the motion would be defeated. "I don't know what their party (coalition partners Congress and JD-S) is going to do but we are 105. They will be less than 100. Hundred per cent we are confident that the confidence motion will be defeated," Mr Yeddyurappa told reporters at the Vidhana Soudha, which houses both the houses of Legislature.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court left it to the Speaker to decide on the resignations of the rebel lawmakers. At the same time, the court said they cannot be forced to attend the assembly, which blunts the threat of disqualification. Karnataka assembly speaker K R Ramesh Kumar welcomed the Supreme Court decision, saying he would conduct himself responsibly as per the principles of the constitution but did not mention by when he would decide on the resignations.
Here are the LIVE Updates on Karnataka floor test:
Karnataka Governor's letter to HD Kumaraswamy, asking him to prove majority by 1:30 pm tomorrow
new doc 2019-07-18 19.58.09_20190718195943 by Ria Saini on Scribd
Maharashtra: Karnataka Congress MLA Shrimant Patil has been shifted to Mumbai's St. George Hospital from Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre for further treatment. pic.twitter.com/M6fTMwKruN
- ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019
Bengaluru: Congress leader DK Shivakumar with BJP MLA B Sriramulu in Karnataka Assembly. pic.twitter.com/SlU4nrO8rw
- ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019
- Till we get clarification on Supreme Court's previous order, it is not appropriate to take floor test in this session which is against the Constitution.
- If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the House because of the Supreme Court order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government.
DK Shivakumar, Congress in Karnataka Assembly: Being a former Chief Minister, being the leader of opposition, he (BS Yeddyurappa) is misguiding the nation, misguiding the court. pic.twitter.com/RYtFkWcaLM
- ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019
#Mumbai: Karnataka Congress MLA Shrimant Patil who was staying with other Congress MLAs at Windflower Prakruthi Resort in Bengaluru, reached Mumbai last night, currently admitted to a hospital in Mumbai after he complained of chest pain. pic.twitter.com/wojgD6R443
- ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister, HD Kumaraswamy arrives at Vidhana Soudha, his government will face floor test today. pic.twitter.com/JEbVLOumKy
- ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019
BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru: We are 101 per cent confident. They are less than 100, we are 105. There is no doubt that their motion will be defeated. pic.twitter.com/JdutzxPbaC
- ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019
