Karnataka floor test Highlights: The Kumaraswamy-led JDS-Congress government in Karnataka, which is on the brink of collapse after mass resignations, will not face a trust vote Thursday as the Assembly was adjourned till Friday. In protest, the BJP has begun an overnight ‘dharna’ demanding a response from Speaker K R Ramesh over Governor Vajubhai Vala’s letter.
After a delegation of BJP leaders met Governor over the delay in holding the floor test, Vajubhai Vala had sent a letter to the Speaker asking him to complete the trust vote proceedings by the end of the day.
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had moved a confidence motion earlier in the day. Speaking on the floor of the House, Kumaraswamy hit out at the 15 rebel MLAs — 12 Congress and three JD(S) — for making “false allegations” against his “stable government” in the Supreme Court.
During the House proceedings today, Congress and BJP were engaged in a war of words over the trust vote. While Congress alleged that the BJP had “abducted” one of its MLA, the saffron party said that the coalition wanted to postpone the floor test.
Explained: What’s a ‘whip’, and what does it do?
On being asked to clarify the apex court’s order on whips, Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar said he would not restrain parties from “exercising any authority”. The Speaker, however, is yet to decide on their resignations, as allowed by the SC. The bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, however, had Wednesday ordered that the MLAs should not be “compelled” to attend proceedings. He is currently meeting legal experts to decide his next move.
Former CM Yeddyurappa sleeps at the Vidhana Soudha
Former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa at the Vidhana Soudha
BJP leaders stage overnight 'dharna' at Vidhana Soudha
Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala has written a letter to Chief Minister Kumaraswamy asking him to prove majority on the floor of the assembly by 1:30 pm tomorrow, reported news agency ANI.
Meanwhile, Congress has written to Bengaluru Police Commissioner seeking protection for Shrimant Patil. The party has alleged that the MLA has been 'abducted' by the BJP.
Before the House was adjourned, BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa declared that his party members would stay put in the House itself overnight and even till the time the trust vote was decided. He said the confidence motion was not even discussed properly for 15 minutes and other issues were brought in by the ruling coalition members to delay the trust vote. "There has been a breach of the constitutional framework," he said, adding that it was unparalleled. "To protest against this, we will sleep here itself," Yeddyurappa said. "We will stay until the trust vote is decided," Yeddyurappa declared.
"Our MLAs will sit on an over night 'dharna' in the state assembly demanding that the Speaker replies to the Governor's letter and holds a floor test," the BJP said in a tweet
Karnataka Assembly session adjourned till 11 am tomorrow. The state BJP unit has decided to stay and protest in the house overnight till the Assembly reconvenes tomorrow.
The House was adjourned by Deputy Speaker Krishna Reddy as the Congress members persistently shouted slogans against the BJP as the proceedings wore on with Kumaraswamy yet to make his speech on the motion.
Leader of Opposition B.S. Yeddyurappa appeals to the Speaker to complete the motion of confidence and put to vote by the end of the day. Even if it's by midnight, we are ready, he said, reported news agency ANI.
Speaker K R Ramesh has left the House to meet up with the advocate general to seek legal advice on the issue of whip imposed by Congress and JD(S) to rebel MLAs. The BJP has protested the move, demanding an immediate trust vote.
Congress members of the house object to the interference of the Governor in the proceedings of the house. They found fault with the BJP for trying to seek the intervention of the Governor in the working of the house. The speaker, however, intervened to say that the opposition had the right to meet the Governor and ask him to act on some issue. However, it is up to him to finally decide on the matter. He would be influenced by anyone on the matter.
After the BJP leaders sought Governor's intervention, Vajubhai Vala has requested the Speaker to hold the floor test by the end of the day. "The motion of confidence moved by the CM of Karnataka is in consideration before the house today. The CM is expected to maintain the confidence of his house during all times of his tenure. I, therefore, send this message to the House to consider completing the process by the end of the day. This according to me, will uphold the highest traditions of democracy and parliamentary practice," the Governor's message to Speaker K R Ramesh read.
The Speaker reads out the message in the House.
After a delegation of BJP leaders met Vajubhai Vala over delay in the trust vote, the governor has sent a special officer to the assembly to witness the proceedings
After a delegation of BJP leaders met Vajubhai Vala over delay in the trust vote, the governor has sent a special officer to the assembly to witness the proceedings
Karnataka Congress MLA Shrimant Patil, who was admitted in Mumbai hospital after chest pain, has been shifted to Mumbai's St. George Hospital from Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre for further treatment.
Amid the delay in the trust vote debate, the BJP hit out at Congress-JDS alliance saying it has lost the majority and is "disrespecting the Constitution in its greed for power."
Former Karnataka Speaker Jagadish Shettar after meeting the Governor said, "CM had fixed today for the vote of confidence but when the motion was moved & debate started, Siddaramaiah, Krishna Byre Gowda, & HK Patil moved a point of order. We have requested Governor to direct the Speaker to continue the debate on the vote of confidence," reported news agency ANI.
While Congress leader Siddaramaiah has urged the Speaker to defer the trust vote, the state unit of BJP has approached Governor Vajubhai Vala to hold the floor test today. In a meeting with the Governor, BJP complained that the Speaker was delaying the process without holding floor test. Former CM Jagadish Shettar was leading the delegation. BJP legislators Arvind Limbavalli, Basavaraj Bommai and SR Vishvanath joined Shettar to meet the Governor
House adjourned for 30 mins amidst uproar over discussion on MLA Shrimath Patil's absence.
Ordering a detailed report on MLA Shrimant Patil, Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh said the situation doesn't look "natural." "Please contact the family members of Shrimant Patil immediately. Give a detailed report to me by tomorrow, it does not look natural. If the Home Minister can't ensure protection, I will talk to DGP. What kind of a Speaker I would be if I proceed with the document (letter sent by Congress MLA Shrimant Patil informing about his ill health) which has no date or letterhead."
In the House, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said, "Numbers will matter only on the day of voting (when floor hosts trust vote). Each decision taken by the Speaker is critical. I repeat I am not tempted by any trappings of power."
On MLA Shrimant Patil's hospitalisation, Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao alleged a "conspiracy" by BJP. During the proceedings, he said, "There was hospital right next to resort where our MLAs are staying, then why was he (MLA Shrimant Patil) flown to Chennai & then to Mumbai for treatment? He is healthy, nothing is wrong with him. It's a conspiracy by BJP," reported news agency ANI.
Shivakumar alleged that Patil got admitted in the hospital against his will. Showing the copies of documents of the flight, Shivakumar said the Congress MLA was accompanied by a BJP leader.
"Our MLAs are being poached by the BJP. BJP is directly involved in poaching our legislators," Karnataka Congres president Dinesh Gundu Rao said.
Amid debate on the confidence motion, Congress flashed the pictures of its MLA Shrimant Patil, who was staying with other lawmakers on Bengaluru resort but was admitted following chest pain. Patil who turned up in Mumbai last night is currently undergoing treatment. The reason for Patil's visit to Mumbai is not yet known. DK Shivakumar, Congress in Karnataka Assembly says, "There were 8 MLAs who travelled together, here is a picture of one of them (Shrimant Patil) lying inert on a stretcher, where are these people? I'm asking the Speaker to protect our MLAs." Uproar in the house after this.
Karnataka Legislative Assembly resumes after lunch break
In case you are just joining us, members of the Karnataka Assembly Thursday are debating a confidence motion moved by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. His 14-months-old government is hanging by a thread following the mass resignations by Congress-JDS MLAs. In a relief for the coalition, of its leaders - Ramalinga Reddy - returned to its fold reducing the number of rebels from 16 to 15.
During the session, Congress leader Siddaramaiah has asked the Speaker to clarify on the order on whips. The BJP, meanwhile, is confident that the motion will be defeated and has asked the Speaker to hold the floor test today.
The Speaker has clarified that parties are allowed to issue whip to its members. After the motion is debated, a floor test will be conducted in the House. The House which was closed for lunch will resume shortly.
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy snapped outside the state Assembly
Ahead of the trust vote, H D Revanna, son of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, arrived barefoot at the state Assembly
Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar tells members of the Vidhan Soudha, "I will neither be coerced nor influenced. I'll be unbiased and impartial. I'll be fair and judicious. This is my stand." And with that, the session has been adjourned for lunch.
Congress MLA H K Patil says the House must first decide if the rebel MLAs are members of the legislative Assembly. "They are saying they have resigned but the resignations are not accepted, so we need time to get clarity on the issue," he says, during the debate ahead of the Karnataka floor test.
In case you're just joining us, here's what is happening in the Karnataka Assembly. Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy moved a confidence motion in the House this morning, which is being debated by leaders. The Speaker has clarified that parties are allowed to issue whip to its members. After the debate, a floor test will be conducted in the House. Stay tuned, as we bring you the latest news and updates!
BJP MLA Madhuswamy says during the debate on confidence motion: "Why did CLP leader Siddaramaiah fail to give a notice on the Point of Order? This would have given time for the BJP to prepare for the same. We came here prepared for the confidence motion called by the CM. Now we have ended up debating only the Point of Order. This will become a precedence on other Speakers."
"It is necessary to decide on the 15 rebel MLAs before going for trust vote. Trust vote is a landmark decision for the house," says Congress MLA and minister Krishna Byre Gowda. In other news, N Mahesh of the BSP appears to be absent from the House. He is the lone BSP MLA in the state, and had allied with the ruling coalition.
Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar has allowed for a whip to be applied on all MLAs in the Karnataka legislative Assembly. "This house holds the Supreme Court in the highest esteem. Simultaneously, let me make it abundantly clear to the CLP leader that this office is not restraining you (him) from doing or exercising any of (his) authorities. I have no role to play in that," the Speaker said.
Siddaramaiah asks the Speaker to clarify on the order on whips. "As leader of the Congress Legislative Party, in the interim order issued by the Supreme Court on the petition by MLAs, my right to whip the members of our party seems to have been crushed," he says, adding that since he is not a defendent in the case, he cannot give his opinion. (Read our explainer on whips)
As the Karnataka Assembly debates the confidence motion, here's a look at how the numbers are currently stacked: The Congress-JDS coalition has 117 MLAs — Congress has 78, JD(S) 37 and BSP 1 and the Speaker — while the BJP has 105 MLAs and the support of two Independents. If the Speaker accepts the resignations of 15 MLAs (12 from Congress and three from JDS), the ruling coalition's numbers will come down to 102.
Congress Legislative Party leader Siddaramaiah says by mistake, "I am the leader of the Opposition," leaving BJP MLAs laughing. He immediately corrects himself, calling it a slip of the tongue, but adds that he has been the leader of Opposition in the same Vidhana Soudha for 4 years.
Karnataka Congress MLA Shrimant Patil has been admitted in hospital in Mumbai after complaining of chest pain, reports ANI. Patil was staying at Windflower Prakruthi Resort in Bengaluru, and reached Mumbai last night to join the other rebel MLAs.
Former chief minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah is now speaking in the Assembly on the "constitutional crisis" that Karnataka is facing at present. "Defection was not a serious concern until 1967. Gaya Lal switched parties thrice on the same day then (in Haryana)," he says.
Congress MLA from BTM Layout Ramalinga Reddy has withdrawn his resignation. He is in Vidhana Soudha to participate in proceedings. He was among the first group of rebel MLAs who resigned from the Assembly. He, however, did not fly to Mumbai where the other rebels are holed up. He was the epicentre of the revolt but had been staying in Bengaluru and had meeting leaders of all political parties.
"I haven't come just because there is a question on whether I can run a coalition government or not. Events have shown that even the role of the Speaker has been put under jeopardy by some legislators," Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy says in Vidhan Soudha. The CM has initiated a debate on the no-trust motion.
Kumaraswamy is speaking the House. Moving the motion for a trust vote, he initiates debate in the Assembly. Kumaraswamy reads out the petition filed by rebel MLAs in the Supreme Court. "The legislators have forgotten to conduct themselves properly by making such false allegations against our stable government in the apex court." He adds that clarification is needed on these allegations.
The proceedings have begun in the Karnataka Assemblu. Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar is in the chair. The floor test will be held shortly. Stay tuned...
Security has been heightened around the Karnataka legislative Assembly as the floor test begins. Section 144 -- preventing assembly of more than four persons -- has been enforced.
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has arrived for the trust vote. Here's a picture of him entering Vidhan Soudha.
Politicians yearn to lay hands on Karnataka’s public goods and natural assets, control its bureaucracy. The present political crisis is a reflection of this impulse, writes Janaki Nair in an opinion column. Read her column here.
On Wednesday, the rebel MLAs, who have been staying in Mumbai since they quit, said there was no question in taking back their resignations or attending the trust vote today. “We are happy with the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court, we honour it,” said rebel Congress MLA B C Patil said in a video released to the media.
BJP state chief B S Yeddyurappa, ahead of the Karnataka floor test, tells news agency ANI: "We are 101 per cent confident. They are less than 100, we are 105. There is no doubt that their motion will be defeated." Here are some images of leaders arriving at Vidhan Soudha for the trust vote.
The Congress and JD(S) issued a whip to all its legislators on Wednesday, including the 16 MLAs who have resigned. This requires them to attend the trust vote today. The parties also issued a separate whip to vote for the coalition. Though the SC order stated that the rebel MLAs are not compelled to attend proceedings, the Congress, after discussions with experts and lawyers, concluded that a whip is the prerogative of a political party under the anti-defection law.
Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar, reacting to the Supreme Court's verdict on the Karnataka crisis Wednesday, said he would conduct himself responsibly in accordance with the principles of the Constitution. “With utmost humility, I welcome and respect the Supreme Court decision," he said. "The SC has put extra burden on me, I will conduct myself responsibly in accordance with constitutional principles." The SC has allowed Kumar to take a decision on the resignations.
Since July 6, 16 Congress and JD(S) MLAs have resigned. This technically reduces the numbers of the coalition from 117 to 101. The BJP, on the other hand, has 105 members in the 224-member House. However, the numbers will reduce only when their resignations are accepted by the Speaker or if the rebels are disqualified.
A day before the floor test, the Supreme Court had left it to the Karnataka Speaker to decide on the resignations of 15 Congress and JD(S) MLAs. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, had said the MLAs are not "compelled" to participate in proceedings in the Assembly. You can read more on the Supreme Court's judgment here.
Welcome to our live blog where we will track all updates from Karnataka. A floor test is scheduled in the legislative Assembly at 10.30 am this morning. Stay tuned as we bring you live updates.