It’s done and dusted. The trust vote in Karnataka, which was being delayed by the ruling coalition, on some pretext or the other, finally took place on July 23.

As expected, H.D. Kumaraswamy lost the vote of confidence 99 to 105. While the BJP hailed it as a ‘game of karma’, Congress and JD(S) blamed BJP for horse-trading and carrying out Operation Kamala 2.0. The trend of no-coalition government lasting a full term has been maintained.&nbsp;

The JD(S)-Congress government lasted 14 months. It had been formed to keep the BJP out of power. The people had rejected the alliance in the polls, but they formed an opportunistic alliance against the popular mandate.

The JD(S) and Congress have opposed each other tooth and nail for decades in state politics. About 60 per cent&nbsp;of JD(S) MLAs (22 out of 37) defeated Congress candidates in the assembly polls.&nbsp;

People voted against the Congress in 144 seats (104 BJP, 37 JD(S), 2 Independents, 1 BSP). Rahul Gandhi referred to JD(S) as Janata Dal Sangh Parivar during his poll campaign. Deve Gowda called Rahul and Siddaramaiah “hypocrites who had once dined with the same Gowdas”.&nbsp;

While the Congress tally declined by 36% from 122 to 78, BJP’s more than doubled from 50 to 104. BJP gained seats across all regions vis-à-vis 2013 (except Bengaluru), while the Congress lost seats. Sixteen ministers of the Siddaramaiah government lost elections. The chief minister lost the Chamundeshwari seat by a big margin of 36,000 votes to JD(S) candidate. He just managed to scrape through on the other seat, Badami, where he won by mere 1,700 votes. Clearly the mandate was against the Congress and in favour of the BJP. The inherent contradictions of the alliance were too hot for Kumaraswamy to handle. The role of Siddaramaiah, who doesn’t share a great rapport with the Gowda family, is also being questioned. Many rebel MLAs belong to his camp. It is rumoured that he was not in favour of the alliance and playing second fiddle to Kumaraswamy.&nbsp;

Many Congressmen in hushed tones blamed the alliance with JD(S) for performing poorly in the Lok Sabha elections and were not in favour of continuing with it. &nbsp;&nbsp;

There are three options before the Governor: (i) inviting BJP to form the government, (ii) keeping the house in suspended animation (President’s Rule) for some time and later explore options (iii) ordering fresh polls.&nbsp;

However, he is likely to go with the first option and rightly so as the original mandate was pro-BJP. Re-elections would lead to significant expenditure at the cost of taxpayers.

The BJP, after its record performance in Lok Sabha polls, where it won 25 out of 28 seats, might have been tempted to go for fresh elections. BJP was leading in 169 out of 224 assembly constituencies, as per Lok Sabha trends.&nbsp;

Even after discounting the national elections, the Modi factor of 20%, BJP would still end up with 130+ seats, as per any safe calculation. This would have eliminated the dependence of BJP on rebel MLAs.

However, all MLAs would not have been happy at the prospect of facing the people again in just over a year’s time. Also, BJP strongman BS Yeddyurrapa wouldn’t have liked it either. He played a crucial role in BJP’s Lok Sabha performance and has waited patiently for his turn. The influential Lingayat leader is credited with the installation of the first BJP government in south India.&nbsp;

The track record of the earlier Yeddyurappa government suggests it won’t be easy for the BJP. Managing the aspirations of rebels as well as 30 odd ex-ministers in the BJP legislative party will require deft handling. Many MLAs in Karnataka have a history of hopping from one party to another, regardless of ideology for the sake of power. The party also needs to instal a Speaker of their choice.&nbsp;

BSY, at 76, is above the threshold limit of the party. The BJP needs to find a substitute soon under whom it would contest the 2023 polls. BJP adds another state in its kitty. However, it’s not going to be smooth sailing. Restoring the collapsed governance structure should be the top priority of Yeddyurappa, but whether he gets time from party politics remains to be seen.&nbsp; 
 
(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-another-opportunistic-alliance-in-karnataka-comes-to-an-end-2775444">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

It’s done and dusted. The trust vote in Karnataka, which was being delayed by the ruling coalition, on some pretext or the other, finally took place on July 23. As expected, H.

It’s done and dusted. The trust vote in Karnataka, which was being delayed by the ruling coalition, on some pretext or the other, finally took place on July 23. As expected, H.D. Kumaraswamy lost the vote of confidence 99 to 105. While the BJP hailed it as a ‘game of karma’, Congress and JD(S) blamed BJP for horse-trading and carrying out Operation Kamala 2.0. The trend of no-coalition government lasting a full term has been maintained. The JD(S)-Congress government lasted 14 months. It had been formed to keep the BJP out of power. The people had rejected the alliance in the polls, but they formed an opportunistic alliance against the popular mandate. The JD(S) and Congress have opposed each other tooth and nail for decades in state politics. About 60 per cent of JD(S) MLAs (22 out of 37) defeated Congress candidates in the assembly polls. People voted against the Congress in 144 seats (104 BJP, 37 JD(S), 2 Independents, 1 BSP). Rahul Gandhi referred to JD(S) as Janata Dal Sangh Parivar during his poll campaign. Deve Gowda called Rahul and Siddaramaiah “hypocrites who had once dined with the same Gowdas”. While the Congress tally declined by 36% from 122 to 78, BJP’s more than doubled from 50 to 104. BJP gained seats across all regions vis-à-vis 2013 (except Bengaluru), while the Congress lost seats. Sixteen ministers of the Siddaramaiah government lost elections. The chief minister lost the Chamundeshwari seat by a big margin of 36,000 votes to JD(S) candidate. He just managed to scrape through on the other seat, Badami, where he won by mere 1,700 votes. Clearly the mandate was against the Congress and in favour of the BJP. The inherent contradictions of the alliance were too hot for Kumaraswamy to handle. The role of Siddaramaiah, who doesn’t share a great rapport with the Gowda family, is also being questioned. Many rebel MLAs belong to his camp. It is rumoured that he was not in favour of the alliance and playing second fiddle to Kumaraswamy. Many Congressmen in hushed tones blamed the alliance with JD(S) for performing poorly in the Lok Sabha elections and were not in favour of continuing with it. There are three options before the Governor: (i) inviting BJP to form the government, (ii) keeping the house in suspended animation (President’s Rule) for some time and later explore options (iii) ordering fresh polls. However, he is likely to go with the first option and rightly so as the original mandate was pro-BJP. Re-elections would lead to significant expenditure at the cost of taxpayers. The BJP, after its record performance in Lok Sabha polls, where it won 25 out of 28 seats, might have been tempted to go for fresh elections. BJP was leading in 169 out of 224 assembly constituencies, as per Lok Sabha trends. Even after discounting the national elections, the Modi factor of 20%, BJP would still end up with 130+ seats, as per any safe calculation. This would have eliminated the dependence of BJP on rebel MLAs. However, all MLAs would not have been happy at the prospect of facing the people again in just over a year’s time. Also, BJP strongman BS Yeddyurrapa wouldn’t have liked it either. He played a crucial role in BJP’s Lok Sabha performance and has waited patiently for his turn. The influential Lingayat leader is credited with the installation of the first BJP government in south India. The track record of the earlier Yeddyurappa government suggests it won’t be easy for the BJP. Managing the aspirations of rebels as well as 30 odd ex-ministers in the BJP legislative party will require deft handling. Many MLAs in Karnataka have a history of hopping from one party to another, regardless of ideology for the sake of power. The party also needs to instal a Speaker of their choice. BSY, at 76, is above the threshold limit of the party. The BJP needs to find a substitute soon under whom it would contest the 2023 polls. BJP adds another state in its kitty. However, it’s not going to be smooth sailing. Restoring the collapsed governance structure should be the top priority of Yeddyurappa, but whether he gets time from party politics remains to be seen. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Another opportunistic alliance in Karnataka comes to an end

The ongoing high-voltage political drama in Karnataka is likely to culminate on Monday with Congress-JD (S) coalition government schedule to face the crucial floor test in the Assembly.

Tension in both the camps ie&nbsp;JD(S)-Congress and the BJP, is apparently at its peak with leaders pulling up their socks and making all-out efforts to fetch numbers.

In pursuit, both BJP and Congress leaders simultaneously held legislative party meetings in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Also, ahead of the trust vote, the BJP is scheduled to convene another parliamentary party meeting on Monday morning.

In a seemingly last-ditch attempt to persuade rebel MLAs, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday appealed them to attend the Assembly Session and explain how the BJP allegedly sabotaged democratic edifice and "destroyed its sanctity".

With Karnataka Assembly scheduled to take confidence motion on Monday, all eyes are now stuck on the proceedings of the day particularly in the backdrop of BJP alleging the Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar of dragging his feet on the floor test.

On Friday, the Assembly failed to meet two deadlines set by Governor Vajubhai Vala to complete the trust vote.

After which, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy moved the Supreme Court challenging the Governor's directive to the government saying it was in violation of well-settled law laid down by the court.

On the other hand, two independent Karnataka MLAs on Sunday moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction to conclude a floor test in the state Assembly on Monday before 5 pm.

Earlier giving a twist to the political stalemate in Karnataka, the Supreme Court had on July 12 ordered a status quo until July 16 on a plea filed by 10 dissident MLAs of Congress and JD (S) seeking a direction to the Assembly Speaker to accept their resignation and not proceed with the applications for their disqualification.

Afterwards, the Supreme Court on July 17 held that the 15 rebel Karnataka Congress-JD(S) MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in the trust vote in the Assembly.

The 13-month-old Congress-JDS government slumped into a minority earlier this month following the resignation of several dissident MLAs. Sixteen MLAs from the ruling coalition including thirteen Congress and three JD(S) MLAs have resigned.

The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA.

The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113.&nbsp;

The ongoing high-voltage political drama in Karnataka is likely to culminate on Monday with Congress-JD (S) coalition government schedule to face the crucial floor test in the Assembly.

The ongoing high-voltage political drama in Karnataka is likely to culminate on Monday with Congress-JD (S) coalition government schedule to face the crucial floor test in the Assembly. Tension in both the camps ie JD(S)-Congress and the BJP, is apparently at its peak with leaders pulling up their socks and making all-out efforts to fetch numbers. In pursuit, both BJP and Congress leaders simultaneously held legislative party meetings in Bengaluru on Sunday. Also, ahead of the trust vote, the BJP is scheduled to convene another parliamentary party meeting on Monday morning. In a seemingly last-ditch attempt to persuade rebel MLAs, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday appealed them to attend the Assembly Session and explain how the BJP allegedly sabotaged democratic edifice and "destroyed its sanctity". With Karnataka Assembly scheduled to take confidence motion on Monday, all eyes are now stuck on the proceedings of the day particularly in the backdrop of BJP alleging the Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar of dragging his feet on the floor test. On Friday, the Assembly failed to meet two deadlines set by Governor Vajubhai Vala to complete the trust vote. After which, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy moved the Supreme Court challenging the Governor's directive to the government saying it was in violation of well-settled law laid down by the court. On the other hand, two independent Karnataka MLAs on Sunday moved the Supreme Court seeking a direction to conclude a floor test in the state Assembly on Monday before 5 pm. Earlier giving a twist to the political stalemate in Karnataka, the Supreme Court had on July 12 ordered a status quo until July 16 on a plea filed by 10 dissident MLAs of Congress and JD (S) seeking a direction to the Assembly Speaker to accept their resignation and not proceed with the applications for their disqualification. Afterwards, the Supreme Court on July 17 held that the 15 rebel Karnataka Congress-JD(S) MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in the trust vote in the Assembly. The 13-month-old Congress-JDS government slumped into a minority earlier this month following the resignation of several dissident MLAs. Sixteen MLAs from the ruling coalition including thirteen Congress and three JD(S) MLAs have resigned. The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113.

After missing two deadlines, Karnataka gears up for trust vote again

In an order that left the fate of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in Karnataka hanging by a thread, the Supreme Court on Wednesday held that the 15 rebel MLAs of the ruling side cannot be compelled to participate in the trust vote in the Assembly tomorrow even as it gave freedom to the Speaker to decide on their resignation in a timeframe he considers it appropriate.

However, the court said that the Speaker's order on the resignations of the MLAs, whenever it is taken, should be placed before it.

"Until further orders, the 15 Members of the Assembly ought not to be compelled to participate in the proceedings of the ongoing session of the House and an option should be given to them that they can take part in the said proceedings or opt to remain out of the same," a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose said in its verdict.

The court observed that Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar cannot be forced to decide within a time frame on the resignations of the rebel MLAs.

"In these circumstances, the competing claims have to be balanced by an appropriate interim order, which according to us, should be to permit the Speaker of the House to decide on the request for resignations by the 15 members of the House within such time frame as the Speaker may consider appropriate," the bench said.

A floor test is scheduled for tomorrow in the Assembly when it will take up the Confidence Motion to be moved by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

In the 224-member House, the 13-month-old coalition is precariously placed if the rebels keep out of the Assembly during the vote tomorrow.&nbsp;

Without the support of the rebels, the coalition enjoys the support of around 100 members as against the support of 105 being claimed by the Opposition BJP.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the rebel MLAs, told reporters, "In view of the trust vote kept for tomorrow, the Supreme Court has said two important things - the 15 MLAs will not be compelled to attend the House tomorrow. All the 15 MLAs are given the liberty that they may or may not go to the House tomorrow".&nbsp;

"The three-line whip issued to the rebel MLAs to attend the House tomorrow is not operative in view of the Supreme Court judgement. Secondly, the Speaker has been given time to decide on the resignations as and when he wants to decide."The Speaker welcomed the apex court's order saying he respected it.

Karnataka minister and chief troubleshooter for the Congress, D K Shiv Kumar also welcomed the order saying the Speaker's position under the tenth schedule has been respected but warned the rebels whether they would like to lose the chances of becoming a minister by keeping away from voting tomorrow.

He said while the MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in the House proceedings, there was also the question of the effectiveness of the anti-defection law under which political parties are empowered to issue whip to the members to participate in the business of the House and vote in accordance with its direction.

Kumar said the rebel MLAs, some of whom are experienced MLAs for five or seven terms, were being "misled".

The rebel MLAs had filed a petition before the apex court claiming that the Speaker was not deciding on their resignation letters and was attempting to force them to participate in the voting by threatening disqualification.

Those who filed the petition included Pratap Gouda Patil, Ramesh Jarkhiholi, Byrati Basavaraj, BC Patil, S T Somashekar, Arbail Sivaram Hebbar and Mahesh Kumathalli from Congress and K Gopalaiah, H D Vishwanath and Narayan Gowda from JD(S).

Five other rebel MLAs - K Sudhakar, Roshan Baig, MTB Nagaraj, Muniratna and Anand Singh - had approached the court on July 13 contending they had resigned "voluntarily" and that their resignation must be accepted by the Speaker.&nbsp;

In its order, the court observed that the issue arising in the case is whether the resignations submitted by MLAs a point of time earlier than petitions for their disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law) should have priority in the decision-making process or whether both sets of proceedings should be taken up simultaneously or the disqualification proceedings should have precedence over the requests for resignation.

Referring to the arguments of counsels for the parties on the touchstone of Articles 164, 190, 191, 221(2) and 361B and the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, the court said we have considered the same.

"Constitutional principles should not receive an exhaustive enumeration by the Court unless such an exercise is inevitable and unavoidable to resolve the issues that may have arisen any judicial proceedings."In the present case, having regard to the stage at which the above issues are poised in the light of the facts and circumstances surrounding the same, we are of the view that the aforesaid questions should receive an answer only at a later stage of the proceedings," the judges said.

The imperative necessity at this stage, the judges said, is to maintain the constitutional balance and the conflicting and competing rights that have been canvassed before them.&nbsp;

The bench said, "such an interim exercise has become prudent in view of certain time frame exercise(s) that is in the offing in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, particular, the no-trust motion against the present government, which we are told is due for being taken up on July 18, 2019".

"In these circumstances, the competing claims have to be balanced by an appropriate order, which according to us, should be to permit the Hon'ble Speaker of the House to decide on the request for resignations by the 15 Members of the House within such time frame as the Hon'ble Speaker may consider appropriate" they said.

"We also take the view that in the present case, the discretion of the Hon`ble Speaker while deciding the above issue should not be fettered by any direction or observation of this Court and the Hon'ble Speaker should be left free to decide the issue in accordance with Article 190," they added.

The also observed that read with Rule 202 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Karnataka Legislative Assembly framed in exercise of the powers under Article 208 of the Constitution.

"The order of the Hon'ble Speaker on the issue of the resignation, as and when passed, be placed before the Court. We also make it clear that until further orders the 15 Members of the Assembly, ought not to be compelled to participate in the proceedings of the ongoing session of the House and an option should be given to them that they can take part in the said proceedings or opt to remain out of the same. We order accordingly," the judges said. &nbsp;

In an order that left the fate of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in Karnataka hanging by a thread, the Supreme Court on Wednesday held that the 15 rebel MLAs of the ruling side cannot be compelled to participate in the trust vote in the Assembly tomorrow even as it gave freedom to the Speaker to decide on their resignation in a timeframe he considers it appropriate.

In an order that left the fate of the JD(S)-Congress coalition government in Karnataka hanging by a thread, the Supreme Court on Wednesday held that the 15 rebel MLAs of the ruling side cannot be compelled to participate in the trust vote in the Assembly tomorrow even as it gave freedom to the Speaker to decide on their resignation in a timeframe he considers it appropriate. However, the court said that the Speaker's order on the resignations of the MLAs, whenever it is taken, should be placed before it. "Until further orders, the 15 Members of the Assembly ought not to be compelled to participate in the proceedings of the ongoing session of the House and an option should be given to them that they can take part in the said proceedings or opt to remain out of the same," a bench comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose said in its verdict. The court observed that Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar cannot be forced to decide within a time frame on the resignations of the rebel MLAs. "In these circumstances, the competing claims have to be balanced by an appropriate interim order, which according to us, should be to permit the Speaker of the House to decide on the request for resignations by the 15 members of the House within such time frame as the Speaker may consider appropriate," the bench said. A floor test is scheduled for tomorrow in the Assembly when it will take up the Confidence Motion to be moved by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. In the 224-member House, the 13-month-old coalition is precariously placed if the rebels keep out of the Assembly during the vote tomorrow. Without the support of the rebels, the coalition enjoys the support of around 100 members as against the support of 105 being claimed by the Opposition BJP. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the rebel MLAs, told reporters, "In view of the trust vote kept for tomorrow, the Supreme Court has said two important things - the 15 MLAs will not be compelled to attend the House tomorrow. All the 15 MLAs are given the liberty that they may or may not go to the House tomorrow". "The three-line whip issued to the rebel MLAs to attend the House tomorrow is not operative in view of the Supreme Court judgement. Secondly, the Speaker has been given time to decide on the resignations as and when he wants to decide."The Speaker welcomed the apex court's order saying he respected it. Karnataka minister and chief troubleshooter for the Congress, D K Shiv Kumar also welcomed the order saying the Speaker's position under the tenth schedule has been respected but warned the rebels whether they would like to lose the chances of becoming a minister by keeping away from voting tomorrow. He said while the MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in the House proceedings, there was also the question of the effectiveness of the anti-defection law under which political parties are empowered to issue whip to the members to participate in the business of the House and vote in accordance with its direction. Kumar said the rebel MLAs, some of whom are experienced MLAs for five or seven terms, were being "misled". The rebel MLAs had filed a petition before the apex court claiming that the Speaker was not deciding on their resignation letters and was attempting to force them to participate in the voting by threatening disqualification. Those who filed the petition included Pratap Gouda Patil, Ramesh Jarkhiholi, Byrati Basavaraj, BC Patil, S T Somashekar, Arbail Sivaram Hebbar and Mahesh Kumathalli from Congress and K Gopalaiah, H D Vishwanath and Narayan Gowda from JD(S). Five other rebel MLAs - K Sudhakar, Roshan Baig, MTB Nagaraj, Muniratna and Anand Singh - had approached the court on July 13 contending they had resigned "voluntarily" and that their resignation must be accepted by the Speaker. In its order, the court observed that the issue arising in the case is whether the resignations submitted by MLAs a point of time earlier than petitions for their disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law) should have priority in the decision-making process or whether both sets of proceedings should be taken up simultaneously or the disqualification proceedings should have precedence over the requests for resignation. Referring to the arguments of counsels for the parties on the touchstone of Articles 164, 190, 191, 221(2) and 361B and the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, the court said we have considered the same. "Constitutional principles should not receive an exhaustive enumeration by the Court unless such an exercise is inevitable and unavoidable to resolve the issues that may have arisen any judicial proceedings."In the present case, having regard to the stage at which the above issues are poised in the light of the facts and circumstances surrounding the same, we are of the view that the aforesaid questions should receive an answer only at a later stage of the proceedings," the judges said. The imperative necessity at this stage, the judges said, is to maintain the constitutional balance and the conflicting and competing rights that have been canvassed before them. The bench said, "such an interim exercise has become prudent in view of certain time frame exercise(s) that is in the offing in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, particular, the no-trust motion against the present government, which we are told is due for being taken up on July 18, 2019". "In these circumstances, the competing claims have to be balanced by an appropriate order, which according to us, should be to permit the Hon'ble Speaker of the House to decide on the request for resignations by the 15 Members of the House within such time frame as the Hon'ble Speaker may consider appropriate" they said. "We also take the view that in the present case, the discretion of the Hon`ble Speaker while deciding the above issue should not be fettered by any direction or observation of this Court and the Hon'ble Speaker should be left free to decide the issue in accordance with Article 190," they added. The also observed that read with Rule 202 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Karnataka Legislative Assembly framed in exercise of the powers under Article 208 of the Constitution. "The order of the Hon'ble Speaker on the issue of the resignation, as and when passed, be placed before the Court. We also make it clear that until further orders the 15 Members of the Assembly, ought not to be compelled to participate in the proceedings of the ongoing session of the House and an option should be given to them that they can take part in the said proceedings or opt to remain out of the same. We order accordingly," the judges said.

Supreme Court verdict leaves Karnataka govt hanging by a thread

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that&nbsp;Speaker K R Ramesh cannot be forced to decide on the resignations of 15 rebel MLAs within a time frame. 
 
"The discretion of the Speaker should not be fettered by any direction from the court. The Speaker can decide on the resignations as and when he feels appropriate," the top court said 
 
&nbsp;"As and when it is decided the same shall be placed before the apex court," the bench headed&nbsp;Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi further added. 
 
The top court also said that the rebel MLAs cannot&nbsp;be&nbsp;compelled to participate in the Assembly proceedings or the&nbsp;trust vote on Thursday. 
 
Reacting to the verdict, Karnataka Speaker said that he will take a decision that in no way will go contrary to the Constitution, the Court and the Lokpal. 
 
The rebel MLAs welcomed top court's&nbsp;verdict. "We honour the Supreme Court`s verdict. We all are together. We stand by our decision. There is no question of going to the Assembly," a rebel MLA said on behalf of the dissidents. 
 
Supreme Court on Tuesday had reserved its order on 15 rebel&nbsp;Karnataka MLAs plea against Speaker K R Ramesh for not accepting their resignations.

On Tuesday, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Deepak Gupta heard the submissions made by the counsels of both the petitioners and the respondents.

Last week, the Supreme Court&nbsp;had directed Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh to not to decide on the resignations or disqualifications of the MLAs till Tuesday.

Supreme Court's direction had come after ten Congress and JD(S) MLAs moved the top court, seeking a direction to the Speaker to accept their resignation and not proceed with the applications for their disqualification from the House.

Following which Speaker K R Ramesh had urged the apex court to recall its order which asked him to take a decision on the resignation of MLAs during the course of the day i.e. July 11.

On Monday, five other rebel MLAs 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) 
&nbsp;

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that Speaker K R Ramesh cannot be forced to decide on the resignations of 15 rebel MLAs within a time frame. "The discretion of the Speaker should not be fettered by any direction from the court.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that Speaker K R Ramesh cannot be forced to decide on the resignations of 15 rebel MLAs within a time frame. "The discretion of the Speaker should not be fettered by any direction from the court. The Speaker can decide on the resignations as and when he feels appropriate," the top court said "As and when it is decided the same shall be placed before the apex court," the bench headed Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi further added. The top court also said that the rebel MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in the Assembly proceedings or the trust vote on Thursday. Reacting to the verdict, Karnataka Speaker said that he will take a decision that in no way will go contrary to the Constitution, the Court and the Lokpal. The rebel MLAs welcomed top court's verdict. "We honour the Supreme Court`s verdict. We all are together. We stand by our decision. There is no question of going to the Assembly," a rebel MLA said on behalf of the dissidents. Supreme Court on Tuesday had reserved its order on 15 rebel Karnataka MLAs plea against Speaker K R Ramesh for not accepting their resignations. On Tuesday, a three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and comprising Justices Aniruddha Bose and Deepak Gupta heard the submissions made by the counsels of both the petitioners and the respondents. Last week, the Supreme Court had directed Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh to not to decide on the resignations or disqualifications of the MLAs till Tuesday. Supreme Court's direction had come after ten Congress and JD(S) MLAs moved the top court, seeking a direction to the Speaker to accept their resignation and not proceed with the applications for their disqualification from the House. Following which Speaker K R Ramesh had urged the apex court to recall its order which asked him to take a decision on the resignation of MLAs during the course of the day i.e. July 11. On Monday, five other rebel MLAs 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)

Karnataka crisis: Speaker can't be forced to take a decision on resignations of MLAs within a time frame, says Supreme Court

BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday asserted that the Saffron Party has nothing to do with the ongoing crisis in Karnataka.

"The Congress-JD(S) coalition was against the wishes of people. Their infighting has created this issue," said Ram Madhav.

Responding to Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who accused the BJP of engineering defections to destabilise the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition, Rajnath Singh said that his party does not believe in politics of horse-trading and is committed to parliamentary democracy.

Singh suggested that senior leaders of the Congress are resigning from their posts as a result of Gandhi`s decision and statement. "The process of resignations continues. BJP has nothing to do with it," he said.&nbsp;

Twenty-one ministers of the Congress in Karnataka have resigned voluntarily from the cabinet, while an Independent MLA, who was inducted as minister last month, withdrew support from the government. All JD(S) ministers have resigned too.

Meanwhile, chief minister Kumaraswamy, who had to cut short his US visit and return to Bengaluru on Sunday, said that the current political crisis in the state will be resolved and the government will run smoothly.

"All ministers from #JDS have submitted their resignations just like the 21 ministers from #Congress. Cabinet reshuffle will happen soon," tweeted CMO office. 
&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
All ministers from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JDS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JDS</a> have submitted their resignations just like the 21 ministers from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Congress?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Congress</a>. 
Cabinet reshuffle will happen soon.
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMofKarnataka/status/1148166857288929280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Congress and JD(S) leaders have alleged that BJP leaders are behind this political crisis in the state.&nbsp;

 
(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday asserted that the Saffron Party has nothing to do with the ongoing crisis in Karnataka.

BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday asserted that the Saffron Party has nothing to do with the ongoing crisis in Karnataka. "The Congress-JD(S) coalition was against the wishes of people. Their infighting has created this issue," said Ram Madhav. Responding to Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who accused the BJP of engineering defections to destabilise the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition, Rajnath Singh said that his party does not believe in politics of horse-trading and is committed to parliamentary democracy. Singh suggested that senior leaders of the Congress are resigning from their posts as a result of Gandhi`s decision and statement. "The process of resignations continues. BJP has nothing to do with it," he said. Twenty-one ministers of the Congress in Karnataka have resigned voluntarily from the cabinet, while an Independent MLA, who was inducted as minister last month, withdrew support from the government. All JD(S) ministers have resigned too. Meanwhile, chief minister Kumaraswamy, who had to cut short his US visit and return to Bengaluru on Sunday, said that the current political crisis in the state will be resolved and the government will run smoothly. "All ministers from #JDS have submitted their resignations just like the 21 ministers from #Congress. Cabinet reshuffle will happen soon," tweeted CMO office. All ministers from #JDS have submitted their resignations just like the 21 ministers from #Congress. Cabinet reshuffle will happen soon. — CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) July 8, 2019 × Congress and JD(S) leaders have alleged that BJP leaders are behind this political crisis in the state. (With inputs from agencies)

Rajnath Singh, Ram Madhav deny BJP's involvement in Karnataka crisis

India's IT capital, Bangalore (North) parliamentary constituency which is part of four constituencies -&nbsp;Bangalore Rural, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South - would be going to the polls in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/second-phase-polls-bjp-tmc-eye-darjeeling-in-west-bengal-battle-209751">the second phase of elections</a> on April 18th.

The constituency was late Congress leader C.K.Jaffer Sharieff's bastion. The former Congress railway minister won consequentively from here in 1977 to 1991. He again won the seat in 1998 and 1999.

The BJP finally beat Sharieff in 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha polls when HT Sangliana and DB Chandra Gowda got the better of the Congress leader.&nbsp;

In a historic twist in&nbsp;1984 Lok Sabha polls, late defence minister George Fernandes had stood from here against Sharieff who beat him. In 2014, the constituency had recorded a relatively low 56 per voter turnout, however, it was higher than in 2009 when 47 per cent people opted to vote.

This time voter turnout would play a huge role for the BJP as the anti-incumbency factor could work against it with the JD(S)-Congress coalition eager to exploit any&nbsp;BJP weakness.

Interestingly, Bangalore has a history of recording low voter turnout with the urban voters mostly staying away from polls, the BJP and JD(S)-Congress would be hoping it is different this time.&nbsp;

Former Karnataka chief minister and Union minister Sadananda Gowda, 66, who is the sitting MP will be fighting again from here. Sadananda Gowda will take on Congress's Krishna Byre Gowda, 46, who is the state's rural development, law and parliamentary affairs minister in CM Kumaraswamy's cabinet.

Sadananda Gowda got over 7 lakh votes in 2014 beating his Congress rival C. Narayaswamy who garnered over 4.8 lakh votes. Sadananda finally won with a thumping 229,764 votes over his rival.&nbsp;

The BJP had swept <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/its-a-high-octane-faceoff-between-two-powerful-daughters-thoothukudi-209778">all four Lok Sabha constituencies</a>&nbsp;in Bangalore in 2014.

Congress is also banking on the "Gowda factor" with Krishna Byre Gowda set to take on his BJP rival. He is the face of the JD(S)-Congress coalition. JD(S) is hoping&nbsp;Krishna Byre Gowda pulls&nbsp;the vital upper caste Vokkaliga votes, which has been BJP's prime vote bank in the last two elections.

The effect of the Gowda factor is such that several JD(S) party workers wanted party supremo H D Deve Gowda to contest from here, however, in the end, the ruling party in the state decided to go with its seat-sharing agreement with the Congress.

Congress candidate Krishna hails from a political family, his father, C. Byre Gowda, was a JD(U) leader. He had earlier lost the elections in 2009. The American University graduate is also an agriculturalist.

A crucial factor which could work in BJP's favour is the BSP which is also fighting from here with Syed Hydri Babloo representing the party. Mayawati's party to keen to pick up lower caste votes, which could work against the JD(S)-Congress coalition. It could well be the joker in the pack.

The results to be declared on May 23rd is too close to call with the second phase election in the crucial Bangalore constituency&nbsp;set to be a cliffhanger.

India's IT capital, Bangalore (North) parliamentary constituency which is part of four constituencies - Bangalore Rural, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South - would be going to the polls in the second phase of elections on April 18th.

India's IT capital, Bangalore (North) parliamentary constituency which is part of four constituencies - Bangalore Rural, Bangalore Central, Bangalore South - would be going to the polls in the second phase of elections on April 18th. The constituency was late Congress leader C.K.Jaffer Sharieff's bastion. The former Congress railway minister won consequentively from here in 1977 to 1991. He again won the seat in 1998 and 1999. The BJP finally beat Sharieff in 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha polls when HT Sangliana and DB Chandra Gowda got the better of the Congress leader. In a historic twist in 1984 Lok Sabha polls, late defence minister George Fernandes had stood from here against Sharieff who beat him. In 2014, the constituency had recorded a relatively low 56 per voter turnout, however, it was higher than in 2009 when 47 per cent people opted to vote. This time voter turnout would play a huge role for the BJP as the anti-incumbency factor could work against it with the JD(S)-Congress coalition eager to exploit any BJP weakness. Interestingly, Bangalore has a history of recording low voter turnout with the urban voters mostly staying away from polls, the BJP and JD(S)-Congress would be hoping it is different this time. Former Karnataka chief minister and Union minister Sadananda Gowda, 66, who is the sitting MP will be fighting again from here. Sadananda Gowda will take on Congress's Krishna Byre Gowda, 46, who is the state's rural development, law and parliamentary affairs minister in CM Kumaraswamy's cabinet. Sadananda Gowda got over 7 lakh votes in 2014 beating his Congress rival C. Narayaswamy who garnered over 4.8 lakh votes. Sadananda finally won with a thumping 229,764 votes over his rival. The BJP had swept all four Lok Sabha constituencies in Bangalore in 2014. Congress is also banking on the "Gowda factor" with Krishna Byre Gowda set to take on his BJP rival. He is the face of the JD(S)-Congress coalition. JD(S) is hoping Krishna Byre Gowda pulls the vital upper caste Vokkaliga votes, which has been BJP's prime vote bank in the last two elections. The effect of the Gowda factor is such that several JD(S) party workers wanted party supremo H D Deve Gowda to contest from here, however, in the end, the ruling party in the state decided to go with its seat-sharing agreement with the Congress. Congress candidate Krishna hails from a political family, his father, C. Byre Gowda, was a JD(U) leader. He had earlier lost the elections in 2009. The American University graduate is also an agriculturalist. A crucial factor which could work in BJP's favour is the BSP which is also fighting from here with Syed Hydri Babloo representing the party. Mayawati's party to keen to pick up lower caste votes, which could work against the JD(S)-Congress coalition. It could well be the joker in the pack. The results to be declared on May 23rd is too close to call with the second phase election in the crucial Bangalore constituency set to be a cliffhanger.

Second phase polls: It is Gowda vs Gowda in Bangalore North

The Congress is likely to move court if Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala does not invite the JD(S)-Congress combine to form a government going by tradition and in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions, news agency PTI reported quoting party sources.

The party is preparing the ground to move court in case of a negative response from the Raj Bhavan, party insiders said as reports came in of its MLAs in the southern state being taken to the governor in a show of strength.&nbsp;

"We have staked our claim for formation of a government as we have the numbers as also the total vote share of over 56 per cent," added a senior party leader.

"All options remain open to the Congress," the party's communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said when asked what the party would do if the governor invited the BJP to form government.

He said the governor is expected to listen to the mandate of the people.

Yesterday's results in Karnataka threw a fractured verdict with no party getting a simple majority.&nbsp;

The BJP emerged the single largest party with 104 seats but fell short of the half-way mark of 112.

The Congress-JD(S) combine together got 115 seats, moving quickly even as the counting of votes was underway yesterday and requested the governor to allow the formation of a JD(S)-led government.&nbsp;

The BJP also staked its claim with its chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa meeting the governor twice since yesterday evening when the results were declared.&nbsp;

The Congress, which has also met the governor twice, has cited past precedent set by the BJP in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya to support its claim that post poll alliance partners can be called to form a government.

"The governor has no choice but to invite the JD(S)-Congress coalition which has a clear majority to form the government in the state," Surjewala said, citing constitutional and legal provisions.

Amid hectic jockeying over government formation in Karnataka, the JD(S)-Congress combine's chief ministerial candidate H D Kumaraswamy today claimed the BJP offered his MLAs Rs 100 crore in bribes to break away and back the BJP in government formation, a charge rejected by the saffron party.&nbsp;

The party is preparing the ground to move court in case of a negative response from the Raj Bhavan, party insiders said as reports came in of its MLAs in the southern state being taken to the governor in a show of strength.

The Congress is likely to move court if Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala does not invite the JD(S)-Congress combine to form a government going by tradition and in accordance with constitutional and legal provisions, news agency PTI reported quoting party sources. The party is preparing the ground to move court in case of a negative response from the Raj Bhavan, party insiders said as reports came in of its MLAs in the southern state being taken to the governor in a show of strength. "We have staked our claim for formation of a government as we have the numbers as also the total vote share of over 56 per cent," added a senior party leader. "All options remain open to the Congress," the party's communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala said when asked what the party would do if the governor invited the BJP to form government. He said the governor is expected to listen to the mandate of the people. Yesterday's results in Karnataka threw a fractured verdict with no party getting a simple majority. The BJP emerged the single largest party with 104 seats but fell short of the half-way mark of 112. The Congress-JD(S) combine together got 115 seats, moving quickly even as the counting of votes was underway yesterday and requested the governor to allow the formation of a JD(S)-led government. The BJP also staked its claim with its chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa meeting the governor twice since yesterday evening when the results were declared. The Congress, which has also met the governor twice, has cited past precedent set by the BJP in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya to support its claim that post poll alliance partners can be called to form a government. "The governor has no choice but to invite the JD(S)-Congress coalition which has a clear majority to form the government in the state," Surjewala said, citing constitutional and legal provisions. Amid hectic jockeying over government formation in Karnataka, the JD(S)-Congress combine's chief ministerial candidate H D Kumaraswamy today claimed the BJP offered his MLAs Rs 100 crore in bribes to break away and back the BJP in government formation, a charge rejected by the saffron party.

Congress may move court if not invited to form govt in Karnataka

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