Karnataka CM To Seek Trust Vote

The Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress government in the state of Karnataka got a breather from the ongoing political tussle following the resignation and disqualification of rebel MLAs after the announcement of trust vote by the Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy. The behind the curtains actions by the BJP appear to have been caught unawares by the trust vote move.

The Supreme Court Bench comprising the Chief Justice, Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose’s direction to the Speaker to decide forthwith on the resignation of the ruling parties’ MLAs also appears to be dithering in the face of the uncertainties in the turn of events. The Karnataka Speaker’s requirement of more time to decide on the issue has thrown the spanner in the works.

The Supreme Court has declared the matter will be heard on July 16 and till then status quo as of July 12 in the Legislature should be maintained.

The BJP moved its MLAs to a resort near Bengaluru fearing reverse poaching. The Congress-JD(S) MLAs have followed suit and moved their MLAs in another resort near Bengaluru. The BJP momentarily appears to have more MLAs than the ruling parties at 107. The ruling parties MLAs numbering 116 have fallen to 100 following resignations of their 16 MLAs. The 224 members’ house needs a party or parties numbering 113 members for government formation.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the rebel MLAs is determined to keep the position of the latter intact so as to keep the present state government’s position in limbo. It is Rohatgi’s stand that the Speaker is unwilling to recognize the rebel MLAs’ position.

Appearing for the Speaker, Senior advocate A.M. Singhvi, also a Congress leader said the Speaker holds a constitutional post and was obliged to decide on the disqualification of the rebel MLAs.

H.D. Kumaraswamy’s government appears to be on the brink. But a keen political saga is under play for the time being.