Karnataka crisis: Consider trust vote by end of the day, Governor writes to Speaker
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BJP leaders claimed JD(S)-Congress coalition was delaying the trust vote fearing imminent defeat due to lack of majority numbers.
After a BJP delegation met Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Thursday over delay in the trust vote, he asked Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh to consider holding the trust vote by end of the day.
"Motion of confidence is in consideration at the house. Chief Minister is expected to maintain the confidence of the house at all times. Consider trust vote by the end of the day," he told the Speaker in a letter.
Earlier in the day, Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy moved confidence motion in the state Assembly at 11am to prove majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers.
"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," Kumaraswamy said in his opening speech.
He claimed that the dissenting legislators had moved the apex court with the BJP's assistance."A situation has been created so that people lose trust in us. Without any discussion they have wanted a trust vote", Kumaraswamy said.
Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah that a floor test in the House will not be appropriate until a clarification is attained on the Supreme Court order allowing freedom to the 15 rebel MLAs from participating in the House proceedings.
"If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip is applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the house because of the SC order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government," he said.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders claimed JD(S)-Congress coalition was delaying the trust vote fearing imminent defeat due to lack of majority numbers.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court had ruled that the Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh cannot be forced to decide on the resignations of 15 rebel MLAs within a time frame.
The top court also said that the 15 rebel MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in the Assembly proceedings or the trust vote on Thursday.
15 rebel MLAs had approached the Supreme Court seeking direction to the speaker to accept their resignations at the earliest.
Karnataka government has been reduced to minority in the Assembly after 16 rebel legislators resigned and 2 Independents withdrew support to it.
(With inputs from agencies)