Ahead of floor test in Karnataka, section 144 imposed in Mangalore

To avoid any kind of mishap in Karnataka ahead of the floor test, the administration has imposed Section 144 in the state's Mangalore city.

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) prohibits assembling of more than 4 people in an area. Defaulters booked under the section can be held for a maximum punishment of three years. 

The section has been imposed as a precautionary measure ahead of the floor test in Karnataka which is scheduled for 4 pm today.

In its hearing on Friday, the Supreme Court had ordered the Bhartiya Janata Party to prove its majority in the Karnataka legislative assembly on May 19 at 4 pm.

The decision was taken by the apex court in response to a petition filed by the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) against the BJP that had formed the government in Karnataka despite lacking the majority mark. 

The election result announced on May 15 declared BJP as the single largest party.

Though the party fell short of the halfway mark of 112 by seven MLAs, it was invited by the governor Vajubhai R. Vala to form the government. 

The Congress and the JD(S) had entered into a post-poll alliance and together with 115 MLAs, also staked claim to form the government.