Karnataka BJP President BS Yeddyurappa on July 26 said he will be meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala to stake claim to form the government in the state, and request him to administer oath.
The Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) government in Karnataka collapsed on July 23 after the floor test. The confidence motion was moved by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy was defeated in the assembly, ending his 14-month long turbulent tenure.
Capping a three-week long high-voltage intense power struggle triggered by a raft of resignations by rebel lawmakers, that pushed the government to the brink of collapse, the motion was defeated with 99 members voting for the motion and 105 against it.
While the BJP has said that it would stake claim to form the government in Karnataka, it remains unclear when its state leadership would meet Governor Vajubhai Vala.
The party leadership has said that decisions will be taken by the parliamentary board. This would include the decision of who will become the chief minister. It is widely believed that BS Yeddyurappa would become the chief minister for the fourth term.
The rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs camping in Mumbai will leave for Bengaluru after BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa is sworn in as chief minister of the southern state.
UPDATE | BS Yeddyurappa:
I have met the Governor and staked claim to form the government. He has given me time between 6-6:30 pm today to take oath as the Chief Minister. (CNN News18)
Yeddyurappa for the last couple of days had been waiting for "instructions" from the party high command to stake claim to form the government after the Congress-JDS coalition government had collapsed after the floor test on July 23.
"I'm going to meet Governor today to stake claim to form government, today only I will request the Governor to administer me oath," Yeddyurappa told reporters before leaving for Raj Bhavan.
He further said, "as I'm already the Leader of the Opposition, there is need to call legislature party meeting."
JUST IN |
BS Yeddyurappa is likely to take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka at 12.30 pm today. (CNN News18)
Karnataka govt formation live update |
BS Yeddyurappa has arrived Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's residence to stake claim to form the government in the state.
BS Yeddyurappa:
I am going to meet the Governor today at 10 am to stake claim to form the government and I will request him to hold oath ceremony today itself. (ANI)
Karnataka live:
While disqualifying the two MLAs, Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said thathe was convinced that the resignations by the three members were not voluntary and genuine and he had therefore rejected them and proceeded to disqualify them under the anti-defection law.
"They have violated the provisions of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law) and therefore are disqualified," he said.
The speaker's announcement came two days after the Congress-JDS coaltion government headed by H D Kumaraswamy collapsed as it lost the trust vote in the assembly in the backdrop of the rebellion by a section of their MLAs. (PTI)
Disqualified MLAs cannot contest elections till term of the house ends
News18 has reported thatthe speaker has said that none of the three MLAs can contest elections till the term of this house is complete (May 2023). They cannot contest if there is a by-election on these seatseither.The speaker's decision, however, can be challenged.
Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar:
I still have many cases with me and I may require more days to act on others.
Rebel MLAs Ramesh Jarakiholi and Mahesh Kumathalli also disqualified
Rebel Congress MLAsRamesh L Jarakiholi and Mahesh Kumathalli have also been disqualified under anti defection law of the 10th schedule, according to reports. Jarakiholi, who represents the Gokak constituency, was one of the first legislators to have resigned. Kumathalli, who had said in April that he will not desert Congress, is an MLA from Athani.
Setting a new precedent, let lawmakers open their eyes: Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar
"Anti-defection law cannot be used by political parties as a monstrous law. It is a provision to curb the evil of defection. This order was given on mahashivratri day, even that resignation was not in order. Disqualification is admonishing. When you are disqualified, you cannot seek...there was no consistency in his statement. I had asked him to file another affidavit, even that was not in order. I am setting a new precedent, let the lawmakers open their eyes and know about it," Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said while addressing media.
Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar:
Ramesh Jarakiholi and Mahesh Kumnatahalli didn't inform me in advance that they were coming to give their resignation. I wasn't in Bengaluru then, when I got back, I was told about the resignations. After that, they went to SC and told the apex court that I was missing.
Who is R Shankar?
R Shankar, an Independent MLA, who has beendisqualified by Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar, had submitted his resignation on July 8. Shankar is the lone MLA from the Karnataka Praja Janata Paksha, a regional party launched in 2016.
Shankar haddefeated the Congress heavyweight and outgoing Assembly speaker KB Koliwad in Rannibennur Assembly constituency.
Shankar had joined the Congress and was made a minister in the Karnataka Cabinet in June. He was given the portfolio ofMunicipalities and Local Bodies.
Speaker disqualifies Independent MLA R Shankar
"Until May 2023, R Shankar is disqualified for the rest of the term of the House," Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar says.
Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar:
On 18th July,Motion for the vote of Confidence was moved... by the time this could be taken up, there were allegations that there was too much of delay.
Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar:
I was approached with disqualification petitions... these legislators also approached the SC...17 such resignations came before the Speaker which acts as a quasi judiciary body.
Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar:
This is a complicated job, these cases are different from others... however, it needs to be done within a time frame.
Just In |
Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar starts briefing media.
As soon as govt is formed, and whenever those forming govt say, the Assembly should convene: Speaker
Responding to a question on BJP meeting him, Kumar had earlier said, "they had come--today date is 25 (July), by 31st if we don't pass the Finance bill government will come to a standstill and we will not be in a position to even pay salaries, such a necessity has come, what to do?"
"I have said, as soon as the government is formed and whenever those forming the government say the assembly should be convened, within 48 hours we will call a session, so that the work can go on," he added. (PTI)
KR Ramesh Kumar: In the eye of Karnataka's political storm, an unwavering Assembly Speaker holds the key
KR Ramesh Kumar, the current Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly, has been a five-time Congress MLA from Srinivasapura constituency of Kolar district. He holds a science degree and describes himself as an agriculturist.
Kumar was first appointed as the Speaker when Janata Dal was in power from 1995 to 1999. At that time too, he enjoyed the imageof being a jovial arbiter, encouraging the ruling and opposition to hold ministers responsible for their actions.
His close friends find him to be a man of reason. He has a reputation of being a knowledgeable, articulate man who has kept debates in the House lively with his jokes and anecdotes, often silencing his critics with air-tight arguments and references from law and literature.
Karnataka live updates:
In its order on July 17,the Supreme Courthad said that the 15 rebel Congress and JD(S) MLAs “ought not” to be compelled to take part in the proceedings of the Karnataka Assembly.A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi had further said that the Speaker was free to decide on the resignations of the rebel legislators within the time-frame decided by him.
Will uphold faith placed in me by SC, says Karnataka assembly speaker
Earlier in the day, Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar had said that he would use his discretion in the matterand uphold the faith the Supreme Court has placed in him.
He said there was no further opportunity for the rebel MLAs to appear before him and it was a closed chapter now, adding, "law is same for everyone whether it is a labourer or President of India."
"Yes..the court has left to my discretion (to decide on resignation), I have discretion, I will work accordingly andwill uphold the faith that the Supreme Court has expressed in me," Kumar said.
What happens if the rebel MLAs are disqualified?
The Congress and the JD(S) have filed a petition for the disqualification of the rebel MLAs. If a Speaker disqualifies an MLA using his powers under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution, according to the rules, themember loses seat and the punitive action forestalls prospects of becoming a minister in the newly sworn in government but he or she can get re-elected to the House.
Earlier, the 15 rebel MLAs had soughtfour weeks' time to appear before the Speaker, KR Ramesh Kumar, in connection with the plea for their disqualification from the State Assembly.
Just In |
Karnataka Speaker is scheduled to address the media at 7:30 pm today, reports suggest.
Rebel Karnataka MLAs may return to Mumbai for brief stay
The rebel Karnataka MLAs, who had been camping in Mumbai before they flew to New Delhi earlier this week for appearance in the Supreme Court, will either return to Mumbai for a brief stay or fly directly to Bengaluru, sources said on Thursday.
The H D Kumaraswamy-led Congress-JDS coalition government in Karnataka was reduced to a minority in the critical trial of strength in the assembly on Tuesday, when the confidence motion moved by him was defeated with 99 voting in favour of it and 105 against.
When asked about the rebel Karnataka MLAs who were earlier in Mumbai, their coordinator said, "Their role in Mumbai is technically over. They may either fly back directly to Bengaluru (from the national capital) or come down to Mumbai for a brief stay." (PTI)
Siddaramaiah, senior Congress leader, in a tweet:
"Media houses are reporting that few rebel MLAs have claimed that I instigated them to resign & destabilize our govt. This is nothing but a false allegation with malafide intension. I will give them a befitting reply if they repeat the same in front of me.
"Rebel MLAs are trying to shift the blame on me after wide spread public backlash against them for betraying & back-stabbing both the electorate & the party. Everything will be clear when the dust settles but by then they would have bitten the dust."
A meeting between caretaker Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy took place in Bengaluru today. Congress MLA Soumya Reddy was also present at the meeting. (ANI)
Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh:
The SC has been very gracious and they have reposed their faith in me. I shall carry out my duties as per law. (CNN News18)
SC permits 2 Independent MLAs to withdraw plea for immediate floor test
The Supreme Court today allowed two Independent MLAs from Karnataka to withdraw their plea seeking a direction to state assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to conduct "forthwith" floor test on a trust motion moved by the HD Kumaraswamy government.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi took note of the submissions of the senior lawyers representing the speaker and Kumaraswamy that they have no objection to the withdrawal of the petition.
The bench comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose then allowed the counsel for MLAs -- R Shankar and H Nagesh -- to withdraw the plea on the ground that it has now become infructuous after the floor test on Tuesday evening. (PTI)
Karnataka BJP MLA Jagdish Shettar: We have met Amit Shah and JP Nadda. We have told them about the political scenario of Karnataka. They now have to pass on their instruction to us. (CNN News18)
JUST IN |
Supreme Court allowedthe two Karnataka independent MLAs to withdraw their petition after HD Kumaraswamy lost the trust vote in Karnataka Assembly and tendered his resignation.
Karnataka floor test case in SC:
Speaker says he won't object to withdrawal of petition by the two independent MLAs. CJI said appropriate orders will be passed today. (CNN News18)
BJP lawmaker JC Madhuswamy on rebel MLAs:
They waited for 14 months to settle their issues. Those in power weren't gracious enough to consider their requests. Their bond is spoilt. No question of them going back to their original parties. We've confidence and we're hopeful we'll form the government. (ANI)
Arvind Limbavali, BJP, in Delhi:
We are here to take guidance of the central leadership for formation of the new government, what should be the strategy and action plan. We are meeting Amit Shah, JP Nadda and other leaders at 9.30 am. (ANI)
Senior advocate Devadatt Kamat tendered his resignation to the Karnataka governor from the post of additional advocate general (AAG) of the state, on July 24.
Kamat, who was appointed as the AAG to represent the state in the Supreme Court in 2015 by the Congress-JD(S) government, resigned a day after the coalition lost the trust vote in the assembly. (PTI)
Senior BJP legislator JC Madhuswamy:
"Party national president Amit Shah has to instruct us to call a legislature party meeting in the presence of an observer to elect the leader."
Awaiting instruction from top leadership on forming govt: Yeddyurappa
BJP's Karnataka president BS Yeddyurappa said on July 24 that he was awaiting instructions from his party central leadership on staking claim to form an alternative government in the state.
"I'm awaiting instructions from Delhi. I can call legislature party meeting any time and go to Raj Bhavan (to stake claim). (PTI)
BJP treading cautiously on Karnataka govt formation
The BJP is not in a hurry to stake claim to form government in Karnataka as the fate of 17 rebel MLAs, who are from the Congress-JD(S) coalition, hangs in balance with the state assembly Speaker yet to take a call on either their resignations or the two parties' plea for their disqualification.
BJP sources said the party will be more sure of its next move after Speaker Ramesh Kumar takes a decision or the Supreme Court, which is also hearing a case related to the matter, brings a legal closure to the issue.
The party's central leadership is weighing its options, they said.
There is also a view that the BJP should go for fresh assembly polls in the state, seeking a clear majority but many leaders feel that the party should go ahead and stake claim for forming the government.
Read more here.
2 Independent K'taka MLAs seek to withdraw SC plea for 'forthwith' floor test
Two Karnataka Independent MLAs on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court to allow them to withdraw their plea seeking its direction to the state assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to conduct "forthwith" floor test on a trust motion moved by the H D Kumaraswamy government.
The counsel for the lawmakersR Shankar andH Nageshtold a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi that the MLAs wanted to withdraw the petition as the floor test has been conducted.
Kumaraswamy non-commital on future of JDS' alliance with Congress
A day after the coalition government headed by him collapsed, outgoing Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday remained non-committal on the future of his party JDS' alliance with the Congress, saying both parties have not yet discussed it.
"Today we have called our MLAs to work out future strategies. Our top priority is to develop our party, to get the confidence of the people of Karnataka and how to move ahead at this juncture. We will discuss," Kumaraswamy told reporters ahead of the JD(S) meeting at the party office.
Responding to a question on continuing alliance with the Congress, he said, "Let us see...I don't know. I don't know about the stand of Congress leaders for the future... we have not discussed anything yet." (PTI)
Outgoing chief minister HD Kumaraswamy:
I have told all officials, whatever the political instability in future, don't worry about that. Focus on catering to the people. It's your responsibility to take care of the common man.
Outgoing chief minister HD Kumaraswamy in a press briefing:
I am grateful to officials who have cooperated with us in running the government. However, political instability will continue in the future too, considering the kind of incidents that are happening.
– CNN News18
Two BJP leaders from Karnataka will be meeting rebel MLAs in Mumbai, News18 has reported.
BSP’s N Mahesh:
It must have been a miscommunication. But, it is a temporary thing. Everything will be alright. I will be in the BSP.
BSP MLA N Mahesh:
According to directions of high command, I was absent, staying neutral. It is a surprise for me as I have not violated any order. I have not spoken to the party supremo, I was away from Bengaluru for nearly a week. Today morning I came to know I have been expelled.
Lone BSP MLA N Mahesh:
Party in charge Ashok Siddharth told me to abstain from voting, be neutral and not support any party. That was the instruction given to me. Accordingly, I was absent. I have not violated behen ji (Mayawati)'s order.
Read: Black chapter in history of democracy, says Mayawati on Karnataka developments
BSP supremo Mayawati today said the manner in which the Congress-JD(S) government was pulled down will go down in the history of democracy as a "black chapter".
