Karnataka Assembly to reconvene on Monday to resume discussion on confidence motion

In Karnataka, the coalition government of Congress-JDS got two more days to prove majority on the floor of the Assembly as Speaker adjourn the house till Monday. The House will reconvene on Monday at 1100 AM to continue the discussion on confidence motion moved by the Chief Minister H.D.Kumaraswamy.

Governor Vajubhai Vala yesterday asked for the second time to take up the trust vote by the end of the day, hours after his previous deadline of 1:30 pm was ignored. Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar called it a day after marathon speeches by coalition leaders and despite the BJP's BS Yeddyurappa saying his lawmakers would wait for a vote even if speeches went on till midnight.

Soon after the adjournment Karnataka BJP President B.S.Yeddyurppa told reporters that he would wait till Monday to decide the next course of action. He further said that he will not approach the Governor once again and he has submitted a report to the Central Government.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister H.D.Kumaraswamy and Congress moved the Supreme Court yesterday accusing Governor Vajubhai Vala of interfering with the Assembly proceedings during the debate on trust vote, and sought clarification on its July 17 order causing hindrance in issuing whip to the legislators.

Kumaraswamy and the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee President Dinesh Gundu Rao filed separate application in Supreme Court yesterday. Both the applications sought clarification of the July 17 order of the apex court by which the 15 rebel Congress-JDS, MLAs were granted relief that they cannot be compelled to participate in the ongoing Assembly proceedings.

Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah said that the discussion on confidence motion will continue on Monday. Speaking to reporters, he said that as many as 20 MLAs had sought permission from the speaker to speak during confidence motion. Only after these MLAs express their opinions voting will be held on the confidence motion, he said.

On Speaker's ruling on the point of order raised by him, Siddaramaiah said that Speaker would issue a ruling following consultation with legal experts. Siddaramaiah's point of order contended that the Supreme Court ruling on the petition filed by rebel MLAs infringed on his party's right to issue a whip.

On the other hand the adjournment motion is a challenge for the ruling coalition and the BJP in keeping their flock together till Monday. The Congress moved its MLAs back to a luxury hotel, the JD(S) and the BJP herded their MLAs to resorts till Monday. With 15 MLAs having tendered resignation, the Congress-JD(S) coalition is down to 102 against the BJP’s tally of 107, including two Independents. (AIR)

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