Karnataka Floor Test: Assembly Adjourned by Speaker Ramesh,Will Resume For Trust Vote on Monday:

PRAMESH S JAIN
Highlights :
* The coalition,which is in danger of losing power after multiple resignations,says the Governor cannot ask for a test of strength when the government has asked the Supreme Court for a clarification on an order that allowed rebel lawmakers to skip the house in defiance of a party whip.
* In his second letter,the governor said detailed debates and discussions were held only to delay the floor test.When the allegations of horse-trading are widely made and I am receiving many such complaints,it is constitutionally imperative that the floor test be completed without any delay and today itself, he wrote.
* BJP’s BS Yeddyurappa, after the assembly was adjourned, said Monday will be the last day of the Kumaraswamy government.We are dealing with this peacefully.They don’t have the majority and they are not letting the one with the majority to also rule.We are 106 and so they are postponing.They are trying to horse trade,but it’s not happening,BS Yeddyurappa told reporters.
* HD Kumaraswamy, in a long speech in the Assembly,accused the opposition BJP of offering,Rs. 40-50 crore to lawmakers to switch sides.In his second statement in two days, he warned the BJP of Judgement Day.”the only consolation is that there is coming a day when all will give an account of their lives to God,” he said.
* BS Yeddyurappa insisted on an immediate trust vote,Kumaraswamy said: After 14 months (in power),we have come to the final stage.Let’s have a discussion. You can still form government.Nothing urgent.You can do it on Monday or Tuesday also.I am not going to misuse power.”
* The coalition also alleged that the governor was under pressure to recommend president’s rule.Top central government sources rubbished the allegation,saying there was no question of central rule in Karnataka.How long can they avoid a trust vote? One week to two weeks? We are watching the situation.
* In protest against the Speaker’s decision to end proceedings without a trust vote yesterday, BJP lawmakers had spent the night in the assembly,eating dinner and sleeping on the floor of the house.
* The Supreme Court has left it to the speaker to decide on the resignations of the rebel lawmakers.At the same time,the court said on Wednesday that the rebels cannot be forced to attend the assembly, prompting the coalition to seek a clarification on whether or not they can be disqualified for defying a whip.
* Sixteen legislators – 13 from the Congress and three from JDS – have resigned in the last two weeks, and two independent legislators have withdrawn their support to the coalition government. One Congress rebel, Ramalinga Reddy, appears to have returned.
* The ruling coalition had 118 members in the 224-member assembly.If the resignations of the 15 legislators who approached the Supreme Court are accepted, the government will be left with 101 members. With the support of the two independents, the opposition BJP has 107 legislators, which is two more than the majority mark of 105.
Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar adjourned the House after the Congress-JDS coalition governement ignored two deadlines set by Governor Vajubhai Vala to prove majority Friday itself.
The Karnataka Assembly on Friday witnessed high drama once again.Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar adjourned the House shortly after 8 pm without a floor test.The trust vote will now be conducted on Monday, July 22.
Ramesh Kumar said enough discussion had taken place and he wanted to adjourn the House for the day.Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy agreed with the Speaker.I have made preliminary submission, he said.We can conclude [the trust vote] on Monday.
Tottering on the brink collapse, of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in Karnataka on Friday ignored the Governor’s deadline twice for proving the majority on the floor of the state Assembly,setting off a constitutional crisis and a fresh legal battle.
As the assembly failed to take up the voting on the confidence motion to decide the fate of the 14-month-old government, the unending political drama sparked by the resignation of 15 MLAs of the ruling coalition a fortnight ago is set to spill over to next week with Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar adjourning the House till Monday.
All eyes were now on Governor Vajubhai Vala on his next course of action.
Before adjourning the house towards the fag end of the day,the Speaker made it clear that a finality would be put to the motion of confidence moved by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday and the matter would not be prolonged further under any circumstances,to which the government agreed.
Kumaraswamy and the Congress moved the Supreme Court accusing the governor of interfering with the Assembly proceedings when the debate on the trust vote was underway and sought clarification on its July 17 order causing hindrance in issuing whip to the legislators.
The court had held that the MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in the Assembly proceedings.
Kumaraswamy told the apex court that the governor cannot dictate the House on the manner in which the debate of confidence motion has to take place
In his second missive to Kumaraswamy, the governor expressed his prima facie satisfaction that the government has lost its majority confidence of the house.
When the allegations of horse-trading are widely made and I am receiving many complaints,it is constitutionally imperative that the floor test be completed without any delay and today itself.
I,therefore,require you to prove your majority and complete and conclude the floor test procedure today,R.Vajubhai Vala Governor of Karnataka told Kumaraswamy in the second letter since Thursday.
The governor said he was receiving various reports about the attempts being made for horse-trading.
This can be averted only if the exercise of conducting the floor test is conducted at the earliest and without any delay, the governor said.
As he was speaking on the confidence motion,Kumaraswamy said,I have received the second love letter” from the governor. He has got ‘gnanodaya’ (awareness) now. Governor talks about horse-trading in the letter.was he not aware of it till now.Let us do politics we are also here we will not fear and run away.Why couldn’t the governor see horse-trading when the MLAs were resigning.
Governor Vala fixed a second deadline asking the chief minister to complete the floor test shortly after the 1.30 pm deadline set on Thursday night for the JD(S) leader to prove his majority ended without the assembly taking up voting.
The House was also locked in an intense debate on when the trust vote process should be completed.
“Lot of discussion has happened; I want to close it (trust motion process) today, the speaker said.
Caesar’s wife should be above suspicion; I cannot be guilty of dragging proceedings.
Kumaraswamy said,I have made preliminary submission we can conclude (the process) on Monday.”
But BJP leader Suresh Kumar said sanctity of trust vote would be lost if it dragged on and insisted the process be completed on Friday itself while the BJP President B S Yeddyurappa said they are willing to wait till midnight
The ruling coalition appeared to be in no hurry to face the trust vote with Congress Legislature Party(CLP) leader Siddaramaiah earlier in the day saying the debate may go on till Monday after which the voting would take place since many MLAs have given their names to participate in the debate.
As the deadline neared,the ruling coalition members vociferously questioned the governor’s power to issue such a direction with Kumaraswamy citing a Supreme Court verdict that a governor cannot act as ombudsman of the legislature.
Kumaraswamy said he would not criticise the governor and requested the speaker to decide whether the governor can set a deadline.
Allegations of bribery flew thick and fast as the debate progressed with the ruling coalition ministers and members targeting the BJP for its alleged toppling game.
Legislators were offered Rs 40-50 crore to lure them; whose money is it?” asked Kumaraswamy, hitting out at the BJP even as the opposition members remained unruffled apparently to ensure there was no disorder that would disturb voting.
JD(S) MLA Srinivas Gowda alleged he was offered Rs 5 crore bribe by BJP to defect to bring down the government.
Minister Sa Ra Mahesh alleged Vishwanath (JD-S former state president) had told him that he needs money as he has election-related loan of Rs 28 crore.
Krishna Byre Gowda alleged hundreds of crores of were being pumped in to bring down the government.
In his speech,Kumaraswamy accused BJP of resorting to ways to circumvent the anti-defection law.He asked BJP why it is in a hurry to end the trust vote debate in one day if it was sure of its numbers.Why is the BJP in a hurry,if they have the numbers why the hurry to end the debate in one day.I know it is not easy to get your MLAs,Kumaraswamy said looking towards Yeddyurappa.You blame Revanna for carrying a lemon.You (BJP) believe in Hindu culture but you attack him.He carries lemon with him and goes to a temple.But you accuse him of doing black magic.Is it even possible to save a government by black magic? he said.Speaking in the Assembly,he said he has given funds to all the districts.But you (BJP) say that I am the Chief Minister of only two-three districts.That is why I am saying that there should not be any hurry, let us discuss it.You are trying to destroy democracy.
Earlier on Friday, the Karnataka Assembly failed to meet the deadline set by Governor Vajubhai Bala to complete the business of trust vote as the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition and the opposition BJP fought intensely over the Governor’s directive.
As the clock in the assembly struck 1.30 pm, the BJP insisted on a division on the confidence motion moved by Kumaraswamy Thursday in accordance with the letter by the governor sent to him.
The House was adjourned at 1:40 pm, ten minutes beyond the deadline set by the Governor late last night, till 3 pm by Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar who maintained that whether the Governor’s order has to be followed or not, has to be decided by Chief Minister because the letter was sent to him.
Senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar said he had been to Mumbai where the rebel MLAs are sequestered and according to his information, they were in captivity and confinement he asked him to provide security to the rebel MLAs.
Karnataka Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar on Friday said no MLA has sought protection from him amid allegations by the Congress that rebel lawmakers were being held captive to bring down the government.The statement by the Speaker in the assembly came after senior Congress leader H K Patil requested him to create an atmosphere conducive for the legislators who are holed up outside the city to attend the session.No one has come seeking protection nor have their families come so the issue ends there,Kumar said.
The House,which missed the Governor’s 1.30 pm deadline for the voting on the confidence motion, was also locked in a debate on when the trust vote process should be completed.
After Karnataka Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao moved SC seeking clarification on party’s right to issue whip, now CM HD Kumaraswamy moved the apex court against Governor Vajubhai Vala’s 6 pm deadline for trust vote.
Kumaraswamy said that it is unconstitutional for Governor to set such deadlines. Governor’s first deadline for trust vote was 1.30pm and the second is set for 6 pm.
Meanwhile, the Congress leader Siddaramaiah said,The discussion is still not complete and 20 members are yet to participate. I don’t think it will finish today. It will continue on Monday also.
“Proceedings of Assembly session”.
Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa staged a night-long protest along with party lawmakers in the state assembly on Thursday,alleging that the Congress-Janata Dal Secular (JDS) government was trying to delay a trust vote in which it was sure to lose.This government has lost its majority.They tried to drag their feet on the issue and provoke us,but we acted with patience.We will continue to press for a trust vote on the motion.We will stage a night-long dharna in the House him as saying. The announcement came soon after Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar adjourned the assembly in the midst of a heated confidence motion debate.
Eighteen legislators had absented themselves from the House as it took up the vote of confidence for debate earlier that day.
“Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister meets BJP MLAs at Vidhana Soudha”.
Early this morning,Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G.Parameshwara met BJP MLAs who were on an over night dharna at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.They(BJP MLAs) were on an over night dharna at Vidhana Soudha.It’s our duty to arrange food and other things for them.Some of them have diabetes&BP, that’s why we arranged everything here.Beyond politics we’re friends,it’s the beauty of democracy,he added.
Karnataka police has reached Mumbai to record statement of Congress lawmaker Shrimant Patil, who slipped out of a resort where the party’s lawmakers were staying and surfaced in a hospital in Mumbai.
“Nation keeping a close eye on the developments: Kumaraswamy”.
People of the country are keeping a close watch on the developments taking place in Karnataka,Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said in his address to the Assembly.
“HD Kumaraswamy Will Make His Farewell Speech Today: BS Yeddyurappa:
With the Karnataka Governor asking Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to prove majority in the Assembly by Friday afternoon, state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa predicted the end of the coalition government and said his party will decide on the future course of action after consulting the national leadership.”
This morning, Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar continued with the debate.Chief Minister Kumaraswamy, in his second statement in two days, warned the BJP of judgement day, accusing it of doing everything to dislodge him. “When I went to America…the Bible refers to Judgement Day. In that book – the only consolation is that there is coming a day when all will give an account of their lives to God,” Kumaraswamy said.
“Assembly fails to meet 1.30 pm deadline for trust”.
When the deadline ended, BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa stood up and pressed for division on the vote of confidence moved by the Chief Minister.The Speaker said there was a process to be followed and the motion would be put to vote, if pressed for, according to rules after discussion.Amid bedlam, the House was then adjourned till 3 p.m.
Karnataka Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao moves Supreme Court claiming that top court’s July 17 order, which directed that 15 rebel lawmakers cannot be compelled to attend Assembly, violated the party’s right under Tenth Schedule to issue whip to its lawmakers.
“Governor asks chief minister to prove majority by today”.
Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala has sent a letter to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to prove majority by evening today.When the allegations of horse trading are widely made and I am recieving many such complaints it is constitutionally imperative that the floor test be completed without any delay and today itself.I therefore require you to prove your majority and complete and conclude floor test procedure today,the Governor has written in the letter.
“Karnataka governor behaving as agent of BJP, says KC Venugopal”.
Karnataka Congress in-charge KC Venugopal tweets:It is shameful that, instead of upholding the Constitution,the Karnataka Governor has turned to be an agent of BJP.He can’t interfere in the functioning of Legislative Assembly.Stop converting Raj Bhavan to BJP Office he tweeted.
“BJP moves privilege motion against JD(S) MLA Srinivas Gowda”.
Leader of Opposition BS Yeddyurappa has moved a privilege motion against JD(S) MLA Srinivas Gowda, who had earlier claimed in the House that he was offered Rs 5 crore to defect to the BJP. Gowda had also named two senior BJP MLAs and said they were the ones who sought him out and made the offer.The BJP, surprisingly, remained calm and silent when the statement was made, indicating that they were not interested in raising a commotion which will only further delay the proceedings. However, when the Assembly met again after the lunch break, BS Yeddyurappa handed the breach of privilege notice to Speaker, stating that the JD(S) MLA can’t make unfounded claims against another MLA.
“Coalition legislators chant ‘Down down Amit Shah, down down BJP”.
Congress-JD(S) legislators chanted “Down down Amit Shah, down down BJP” after Congress president Dinesh Gundu Rao alleged that the Union Home Minister has links to the political situation that prevails in Karnataka at present. However, speaker K R Ramesh Kumar brought the House back to order saying, “He (Amit Shah) is not a member of this House and hence such allegations will not go into the assembly record.
“Decision On Floor Test Left To Speaker: Chief Minister”.
Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy says:I have respect for the Governor.But the second love letter from the Governor has hurt me.He only came to know about horse trading 10 days ago?”.The chief minister showed photos of BS Yeddyurappa’s PA Santosh,reportedly boarding a plane with independent lawmaker H Nagesh.I leave the decision on the floor test to you (the Speaker).It won’t be directed by Delhi.I request you to protect me from the letter sent by the Governor.
“Kumaraswamy files application in Supreme court”.
JDS chief and Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy filed an application in Supreme court seeking to establish party’s right to issue whip to its lawmakers not withstanding top court’s July 17 order.The application says that the Governor sent a communication directing that the confidence motion and the trust vote should be held before 1:30 pm today. “It is respectfully submitted that no such direction could have been issued by the Governor when the confidence motion has already been initiated. The debates on the motion are currently ongoing and the House is in seisin of the confidence motion, it reads.The Speaker has also opined that the division will take place only at the end of the debate,Mr Kumaraswamy tells the Supreme Court.”In these circumstances the Governor cannot dictate to the House the manner in which the debate of the confidence motion has to be taken up.”
Karnataka Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara says: “We have approached Supreme Court to contend two major issues: Parties have the right to issue whips to their legislators & this cannot be taken away by any court. When the house is in session, Governor can’t issue directions or deadlines to when we should have a trust vote.”
Floor test would not take place today: Siddaramaiah”:
Congress leader Siddaramaiah today said that the floor test would not take today as well, despite the deadline set by the governor. “A total 20 MLAs have given their names to speak on the issue & they have complete right to speak on the floor of the house. Only after this, the vote can be placed,” he said.
“Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s floor test lasted for 10 days: JD(S) MLA”:
As the debate in the Karnataka Assembly continues, JD(S) MLA Shivalinge Gowda said, “Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s floor test lasted for 10 days. Why is BJP opposing discussion on floor test?”.BJP is trying to twist Anti-defection law:JD(S) MLA Shivalinge Gowda, while targetting the saffron party in the assembly today said that the people of the state are talking that governor’s office is puppet of the BJP. He also said that the BJP is trying to twist Anti-defection law.
“No lawmaker has sought protection: Speaker”.
Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh says:Want to inform the Supreme Court,people and the House.No lawmaker has given me letter seeking protection and I don’t know if they have written to government. If they have informed any member that they have stayed away from House for security reasons then they are misleading people.
Second deadline set by Governor for CM Kumaraswamy ends”:
The proceedings in the Karnataka Assembly are still underway, even as the second deadline set by Governor Vajubhai Vala has lapsed.
“Kumaraswamy fails to meets 2nd deadline, Speaker asks how much more time?:
Speaker Ramesh Kumar has asked the Congress-JD(S) members on how many people would want to speak on the motion and how much time they would require. The coalition is looking at fielding around 20 speakers and they say they would like to take time till Tuesday/Wednesday. It is being objected by BJP members who want the vote to be taken up now. The second deadline given by the governor for 6 pm today has also passed.
“Karnataka floor test in limbo: Kumaraswamy says session could be concluded on Monday:
Clarifying that the session can be concluded on Monday, CM Kumaraswamy said, “It is important that all members should be given an opportunity to speak on the floor. All MLAs have to go back to their respective constituencies as well.
“If rebel MLAs approach me seeking protection, I will give them protection: Speaker
If the rebel MLAs will approach me seeking protection,I will give them protection.They haven’t approached me yet, said Karnataka Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar.He also said that a lot of discussion has taken place.I want to close it (trust motion process) today,he said.However, the BJP is pressing for the trust vote to take place today only “even if the clock ticks past 9.
“Governor cannot dictate Assembly proceedings: Karnataka CM tells SC:
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy moved the Supreme Court Friday saying that Governor Vajubhai Vala cannot dictate to the Assembly the manner in which the debate on the confidence motion has to be taken up.The Chief Minister questioned the deadlines set by the Governor one after another to complete the trust vote, and also sought clarification on the apex court’s July 17 order which said that the 15 rebel MLAs cannot be compelled to attend the proceedings of the House.Kumaraswamy said in his plea that the Governor sent a communication Thursday directing that the confidence motion and the trust vote should be held before 1:30 pm on Friday.It is respectfully submitted that no such direction could have been issued by the Governor when the confidence motion has already been initiated. The debates on the motion are currently ongoing and the House is in seisin of the confidence motion,” the plea said.
“Hold floor test today even if the clock ticks past 9: BJP:
BJP legislators have urged Speaker Ramesh Kumar to hold a floor test on Friday itself even if the clock ticks past 9 pm.The Opposition in the House has been keen on holding the floor test since Thursday morning and has been constantly alleging Congress-JD(S) leaders of delaying the process.
“Governor not ‘guide’ or ‘mentor’ to assembly speaker: SC in 2016 verdict in Arunachal case:
As the Karnataka governor gave two deadlines to the chief minister to prove his majority, a 2016 Supreme Court verdict assumes significance in which it had held that it is not within the governor’s domain to interfere with the functions of the Speaker as he is “neither a guide, nor a mentor” to the latter.In 2016, the apex court had held as unconstitutional the decision of Arunachal Pradesh Governor J P Rajkhowa to advance the floor test. Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala set two deadlines for the H D Kumaraswamy government to prove majority on the floor of the assembly by Friday.A five-judge Constitution bench headed by the then CJI J S Khehar had restored the dismissed Congress government led by Nabam Tuki in Arunachal Pradesh and had dealt in details the power of the governor under the Constitution.It is not within his domain to interfere with the functions of the Speaker, as the Governor is neither a guide,nor a mentor to the Speaker and has no role whatsoever in the removal of Speaker or Deputy Speaker.Both the Governor and the Speaker have independent constitutional responsibilities,the bench had said.
“If they (rebel MLAs) have stayed away because of security reasons, they’re misleading people: Speaker:
Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh: “Want to inform SC, people & the House. No MLA has given me letter seeking protection and I don’t know if they’ve written to govt. If they have informed any member that they have stayed away from House for security reasons then they’re misleading people.
“People have been mocking our state by labelling us Kar’Nataka’: Belgaum MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar:
I come from the Maharashtra-Karnataka border.People have been mocking our state by labelling us Kar’Nataka’:Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Belgaum rural MLA.In ensuing debate, Congress Lakshmi Hebbalkar warned the BJP that it could very quickly lose power won with the rebels support.I want to tell opposition leaders,even if you come to power you will not stay for 6 months.How will people who betray their own parties, stay loyal to you?She asked.
Congress MLA Narayana Rao made a similar point saying,there are 100’s waiting in the BJP to stab BS Yeddyurappa in the back.
“Ready to wait for however long it takes today: Yeddyurappa:
Reiterating their demand to hold a floor test by end of the day, leader of opposition in Karnataka Assembly BS Yeddyruappa said,Governor’s letter sent today has mentioned that the vote should finish today.People on our side will sit peacefully even if it till late night.Let it take however long it takes, but we have to respect Governor’s direction.”
“Karnataka assembly adjourned till Monday without taking up voting on trust motion:
The Karnataka Assembly was adjourned till Monday without taking up the voting on the motion of confidence moved by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar adjourned the House after the Congress-JDS coalition governement ignored two deadlines set by Governor Vajubhai Vala to prove majority Friday itself.Before adjourning, the speaker made it clear that finality would be put on the motion on Monday and the matter would not be prolonged further under any circumstances he added.
Former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa says Monday will be the last day for Kumaraswamy government :
Former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa says, “Monday will be the last day for HD Kumaraswamy govt, they don’t have numbers & they aren’t allowing the people who have numbers to form govt. We are 106 members totally. SC has said MLAs who are in Mumbai can’t be forced to attend the session.
“House adjourned till Monday”
The Karnataka Assembly has been adjourned till Monday without taking up the voting on the motion of confidence moved by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar adjourned the House after the Congress-JDS coalition governement ignored two deadlines set by Governor Vajubhai Vala to prove majority Friday itself.Before adjourning, the speaker made it clear that finality would be put on the motion on Monday and the matter would not be prolonged further under any circumstances.
As many as 16 MLAs,13 from the Congress and three from JDS — had resigned, while independent MLAs R Shankar and H Nagesh have withdrawn their support to the coalition government, putting the government on the edge.
One Congress member Ramalinga Reddy retracted, saying he would support the government.
The ruling combine’s strength is 117– Congress 78, JD(S) 37, BSP 1, and nominated 1, besides the Speaker.
With the support of the two independents, the opposition BJP has 107 MLAs in the 225-member House, including the nominated MLA and Speaker.
If the resignations of 15 MLAs (12 from Congress and 3 from JDS) are accepted or if they stay away, the ruling coalition’s tally will plummet to 101, (excluding the Speaker) reducing the government to a minority.