Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Friday missed the 1.30 p.m. deadline given by Governor Vajubhai Vala to prove majority in the state legislative Assembly. Watch this video to know more.

Karnataka floor test: Can Kumaraswamy prove majority?

After receiving the second deadline set by Governor Vajubhai Vala, Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday said the Governor's second letter has hurt him and asked Speaker KR Ramesh to handle the new directive.

&nbsp;"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 said.&nbsp;

Furthermore, Kumaraswamy moved the apex court, questioning the deadlines set by the Governor one after another.

In his application, Kumaraswamy contended: "No such direction on trust vote could have been issued by Governor when confidence motion was already initiated."&nbsp;

After missing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-governor-issues-new-deadline-to-cm-kumaraswamy-for-floor-test-congress-moves-supreme-court-237114">the 1.30 pm deadline</a>, Kumaraswamy received a fresh directive from the Governor to hold the floor test to prove the majority of JD(S)-Congress government by 6pm today.

An earlier letter to the Speaker by Governor to conduct the floor test by the end of Thursday was merely dismissed as a suggestion and not an order.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Congress has also moved the Supreme Court saying that its July 17 order compromises party’s right to issue whip to its MLAs.

The petition said the July 17 order was passed without even arraying the Congress Legislature Party which has 79 MLAs in the Assembly. It further said under the Tenth Schedule a political party has a constitutional right to issue a whip to its legislators.

The court had ruled that 15 MLAs from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-rebel-congress-jds-mlas-refuse-to-participate-in-trust-vote-on-thursday-236642">Congress and JD(S) </a>cannot be compelled to participate in the House proceedings.

Earlier in the day, Speaker Ramesh Kumar said that the directive of the Governor is applied to the chief minister and he cannot be forced by any time constraint.

"Unless the discussion is complete, you cannot press for the division of votes for the floor test," said the Speaker.

"Governor's order has to be followed or not, it has to be decided by the chief minister because the letter was sent to him, so he has to decide," he further added.

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-governor-asks-chief-minister-to-hold-floor-test-on-friday-as-congress-jds-delay-trust-vote-236984">moved confidence motion in the state Assembly</a> at 11am on Thursday to prove the majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders claimed JD(S)-Congress coalition was delaying the trust vote fearing imminent defeat due to lack of majority numbers. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

After receiving the second deadline set by Governor Vajubhai Vala, Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday said the Governor's second letter has hurt him and asked Speaker KR Ramesh to handle the new directive.

After receiving the second deadline set by Governor Vajubhai Vala, Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday said the Governor's second letter has hurt him and asked Speaker KR Ramesh to handle the new directive. "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 said. Furthermore, Kumaraswamy moved the apex court, questioning the deadlines set by the Governor one after another. In his application, Kumaraswamy contended: "No such direction on trust vote could have been issued by Governor when confidence motion was already initiated." After missing the 1.30 pm deadline, Kumaraswamy received a fresh directive from the Governor to hold the floor test to prove the majority of JD(S)-Congress government by 6pm today. An earlier letter to the Speaker by Governor to conduct the floor test by the end of Thursday was merely dismissed as a suggestion and not an order. Meanwhile, Congress has also moved the Supreme Court saying that its July 17 order compromises party’s right to issue whip to its MLAs. The petition said the July 17 order was passed without even arraying the Congress Legislature Party which has 79 MLAs in the Assembly. It further said under the Tenth Schedule a political party has a constitutional right to issue a whip to its legislators. The court had ruled that 15 MLAs from the Congress and JD(S) cannot be compelled to participate in the House proceedings. Earlier in the day, Speaker Ramesh Kumar said that the directive of the Governor is applied to the chief minister and he cannot be forced by any time constraint. "Unless the discussion is complete, you cannot press for the division of votes for the floor test," said the Speaker. "Governor's order has to be followed or not, it has to be decided by the chief minister because the letter was sent to him, so he has to decide," he further added. Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy moved confidence motion in the state Assembly at 11am on Thursday to prove the majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers. Meanwhile, BJP leaders claimed JD(S)-Congress coalition was delaying the trust vote fearing imminent defeat due to lack of majority numbers. (With inputs from agencies)

Karnataka Governor's new deadline for floor test expires; Kumaraswamy, Congress move Supreme Court

Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Friday issued a new deadline to chief minister HD Kumaraswamy to hold the floor test to prove the majority of JD(S)-Congress government.

In a letter to the chief minister, he asked him to hold&nbsp;the floor test in the Assembly by 6pm today. 
 
On Thursday, Governor, in a letter to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, asked him to hold the floor test by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-governor-asks-chief-minister-to-hold-floor-test-on-friday-as-congress-jds-delay-trust-vote-236984">1.30pm on Friday.</a>&nbsp;

An earlier letter to the Speaker by Governor to conduct the floor test by the end of Thursday was merely dismissed as a suggestion and not an order.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Congress has moved the Supreme Court saying that its July 17 order compromises party’s right to issue whip to its MLAs. 
 
The petition said the July 17 order was passed without even arraying the Congress Legislature Party which has 79 MLAs in the Assembly. It further said under the Tenth Schedule a political party has a constitutional right to issue a whip to its legislators. 
 
The court had ruled that 15 MLAs from the Congress and JD-S cannot be compelled to participate in the House proceedings.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-chief-minister-hd-kumaraswamy-resumes-debate-as-trust-vote-deadline-nears-237056">Earlier in the day</a>, Speaker Ramesh Kumar said that the directive of the Governor is applied to the chief minister and he cannot be forced by any time constraint.

"Unless the discussion is complete, you cannot press for the division of votes for the floor test," said the Speaker.

"Governor's order has to be followed or not, it has to be decided by the chief minister because the letter was sent to him, so he has to decide," he further added.

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-hd-kumaraswamy-moves-confidence-motion-to-prove-majority-of-jds-congress-government-236840">moved confidence motion</a> in the state Assembly at 11am on Thursday to prove the majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers.

He claimed that the dissenting legislators had moved the apex court with the BJP's assistance."A situation has been created so that people lose trust in us. Without any discussion they have wanted a trust vote", Kumaraswamy said.

Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah that a floor test in the House will not be appropriate until a clarification is attained on the Supreme Court order allowing freedom to the 15 rebel MLAs from participating in the House proceedings.

"If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip is applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the house because of the SC order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government," he said.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders claimed JD(S)-Congress coalition was delaying the trust vote fearing imminent defeat due to lack of majority numbers. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Friday issued a new deadline to chief minister HD Kumaraswamy to hold the floor test to prove the majority of JD(S)-Congress government.

Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Friday issued a new deadline to chief minister HD Kumaraswamy to hold the floor test to prove the majority of JD(S)-Congress government. In a letter to the chief minister, he asked him to hold the floor test in the Assembly by 6pm today. On Thursday, Governor, in a letter to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, asked him to hold the floor test by 1.30pm on Friday. An earlier letter to the Speaker by Governor to conduct the floor test by the end of Thursday was merely dismissed as a suggestion and not an order. Meanwhile, Congress has moved the Supreme Court saying that its July 17 order compromises party’s right to issue whip to its MLAs. The petition said the July 17 order was passed without even arraying the Congress Legislature Party which has 79 MLAs in the Assembly. It further said under the Tenth Schedule a political party has a constitutional right to issue a whip to its legislators. The court had ruled that 15 MLAs from the Congress and JD-S cannot be compelled to participate in the House proceedings. Earlier in the day, Speaker Ramesh Kumar said that the directive of the Governor is applied to the chief minister and he cannot be forced by any time constraint. "Unless the discussion is complete, you cannot press for the division of votes for the floor test," said the Speaker. "Governor's order has to be followed or not, it has to be decided by the chief minister because the letter was sent to him, so he has to decide," he further added. Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy moved confidence motion in the state Assembly at 11am on Thursday to prove the majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers. He claimed that the dissenting legislators had moved the apex court with the BJP's assistance."A situation has been created so that people lose trust in us. Without any discussion they have wanted a trust vote", Kumaraswamy said. Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah that a floor test in the House will not be appropriate until a clarification is attained on the Supreme Court order allowing freedom to the 15 rebel MLAs from participating in the House proceedings. "If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip is applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the house because of the SC order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government," he said. Meanwhile, BJP leaders claimed JD(S)-Congress coalition was delaying the trust vote fearing imminent defeat due to lack of majority numbers. (With inputs from agencies)

Karnataka Governor issues new deadline to chief minister Kumaraswamy for floor test; Congress moves Supreme Court

The future of the ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition is likely to be decided on Friday even as the deadline set by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai ended at 1.30pm today. 
 
Speaker Ramesh Kumar said that the directive of the Governor is applied to the chief minister and he cannot be forced by any time constraint.

"Unless the discussion is complete, you cannot press for division of votes for the floor test," said the Speaker. 
 
"Governor's order has to be followed or not, it has to be decided by chief minister because the letter was sent to him, so he has to decide," he further added 
 
Earlier in the day, chief minister HD Kumaraswamy had asked the Speaker to decide on the floor test.

"We have already moved the confidence motion. I request the speaker to decide on whether the Governor can direct me to hold the floor test today," he said. 
 
Kumaraswamy asserted he would not misuse power to save his government. "Let's have discussion. You can still form government. Nothing urgent. You can do it on Monday or Tuesday also. I am not going to misuse power," Kumaraswamy told the BJP.

On Thursday, Governor, in a letter to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, asked him to hold the floor test by 1.30pm on Friday. "Though a message as contemplated under Article 175(2) is sent to the Speaker, I am informed that the House is adjourned today i.e, 18-07-2019. Under these circumstances, I require you to prove your majority on the floor of the house on or before 1.30 pm tomorrow" stated the Governor's letter.&nbsp;

An earlier letter to the Speaker by Governor to&nbsp;conduct the floor test by the end of Thursday was merely dismissed as a suggestion and not an order.&nbsp;

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy moved confidence motion in the state Assembly at 11 am on Thursday to prove the majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers.

He claimed that the dissenting legislators had moved the apex court with the BJP's assistance."A situation has been created so that people lose trust in us. Without any discussion they have wanted a trust vote", Kumaraswamy said.

Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah that a floor test in the House will not be appropriate until a clarification is attained on the Supreme Court order allowing freedom to the 15 rebel MLAs from participating in the House proceedings.

"If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip is applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the house because of the SC order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government," he said.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders claimed JD(S)-Congress coalition was delaying the trust vote fearing imminent defeat due to lack of majority numbers.

BJP legislators staged a night-long sit-in at Vidhana Soudha, protesting against the Congress-JD(S) government dragging its feet on the trust vote.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The future of the ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition is likely to be decided on Friday even as the deadline set by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai ended at 1.30pm today.

The future of the ruling JD(S)-Congress coalition is likely to be decided on Friday even as the deadline set by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai ended at 1.30pm today. Speaker Ramesh Kumar said that the directive of the Governor is applied to the chief minister and he cannot be forced by any time constraint. "Unless the discussion is complete, you cannot press for division of votes for the floor test," said the Speaker. "Governor's order has to be followed or not, it has to be decided by chief minister because the letter was sent to him, so he has to decide," he further added Earlier in the day, chief minister HD Kumaraswamy had asked the Speaker to decide on the floor test. "We have already moved the confidence motion. I request the speaker to decide on whether the Governor can direct me to hold the floor test today," he said. Kumaraswamy asserted he would not misuse power to save his government. "Let's have discussion. You can still form government. Nothing urgent. You can do it on Monday or Tuesday also. I am not going to misuse power," Kumaraswamy told the BJP. On Thursday, Governor, in a letter to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, asked him to hold the floor test by 1.30pm on Friday. "Though a message as contemplated under Article 175(2) is sent to the Speaker, I am informed that the House is adjourned today i.e, 18-07-2019. Under these circumstances, I require you to prove your majority on the floor of the house on or before 1.30 pm tomorrow" stated the Governor's letter. An earlier letter to the Speaker by Governor to conduct the floor test by the end of Thursday was merely dismissed as a suggestion and not an order. Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy moved confidence motion in the state Assembly at 11 am on Thursday to prove the majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers. He claimed that the dissenting legislators had moved the apex court with the BJP's assistance."A situation has been created so that people lose trust in us. Without any discussion they have wanted a trust vote", Kumaraswamy said. Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah that a floor test in the House will not be appropriate until a clarification is attained on the Supreme Court order allowing freedom to the 15 rebel MLAs from participating in the House proceedings. "If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip is applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the house because of the SC order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government," he said. Meanwhile, BJP leaders claimed JD(S)-Congress coalition was delaying the trust vote fearing imminent defeat due to lack of majority numbers. BJP legislators staged a night-long sit-in at Vidhana Soudha, protesting against the Congress-JD(S) government dragging its feet on the trust vote. (With inputs from agencies)

Karnataka crisis: Heated debate on in Assembly as deadline set by Governor ends

Janata Dal Secular-Congress coalition government, led by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, will face its trust vote in the state Assembly on Thursday.

The discussion on the vote of confidence will start at around 11 am in the Assembly.

Kumaraswamy on Wednesday issued whip to all 37 MLAs of JD(S) including three rebel legislators Narayana Gowda, Gopalaiah and H Vishwanath to be present in the Assembly at the time of trust vote.

Kumaraswamy has warned that if MLAs do not attend the House and vote against the party whip even after attending the session on the day of trust voting, action will be initiated under the rule of Anti-Defection Law and that MLA will be disqualified from his post.

Meanwhile, senior Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy, who was amongst the dissident legislators, on Wednesday confirmed that he will remain in the party and vote in favour of Karnataka coalition government in the state Assembly.

Reddy, who along with nine Congress-JD(S) MLAs resigned on July 6, had said that he tendered his resignation due to party's internal matters.

Kumaraswamy had on sought permission from Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to face a floor test during the ongoing session of the Assembly.

A bench of Supreme Court comprising of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose had observed that 15 rebel MLAs cannot be forced to take part in the proceedings of the House.

It, however, added that Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar cannot be forced to decide within a time frame on the resignations of the rebel MLAs.

Mukul Rohatgi, the lawyer of rebel MLAs, said: "Because of the trust vote on Thursday, the Supreme Court has said two important things -- 15 MLAs will not be compelled to attend the House tomorrow. All 15 MLAs are given the liberty that may or may not go to the House tomorrow."

The plea was filed by Pratap Gouda Patil, Ramesh Jarkhiholi, Byrati Basavaraj, BC Patil, S T Somashekar, Arbail Sivaram Hebbar and Mahesh Kumathalli from the Congress and K Gopalaiah, H D Vishwanath and Narayan Gowda from the JDS.

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.

The 13-month-old Congress-JDS government had slumped into crisis after these MLAs resigned from the membership of the Assembly earlier this month.

The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113.

Janata Dal Secular-Congress coalition government, led by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, will face its trust vote in the state Assembly on Thursday. The discussion on the vote of confidence will start at around 11 am in the Assembly.

Janata Dal Secular-Congress coalition government, led by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, will face its trust vote in the state Assembly on Thursday. The discussion on the vote of confidence will start at around 11 am in the Assembly. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday issued whip to all 37 MLAs of JD(S) including three rebel legislators Narayana Gowda, Gopalaiah and H Vishwanath to be present in the Assembly at the time of trust vote. Kumaraswamy has warned that if MLAs do not attend the House and vote against the party whip even after attending the session on the day of trust voting, action will be initiated under the rule of Anti-Defection Law and that MLA will be disqualified from his post. Meanwhile, senior Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy, who was amongst the dissident legislators, on Wednesday confirmed that he will remain in the party and vote in favour of Karnataka coalition government in the state Assembly. Reddy, who along with nine Congress-JD(S) MLAs resigned on July 6, had said that he tendered his resignation due to party's internal matters. Kumaraswamy had on sought permission from Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to face a floor test during the ongoing session of the Assembly. A bench of Supreme Court comprising of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justices Deepak Gupta and Aniruddha Bose had observed that 15 rebel MLAs cannot be forced to take part in the proceedings of the House. It, however, added that Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar cannot be forced to decide within a time frame on the resignations of the rebel MLAs. Mukul Rohatgi, the lawyer of rebel MLAs, said: "Because of the trust vote on Thursday, the Supreme Court has said two important things -- 15 MLAs will not be compelled to attend the House tomorrow. All 15 MLAs are given the liberty that may or may not go to the House tomorrow." The plea was filed by Pratap Gouda Patil, Ramesh Jarkhiholi, Byrati Basavaraj, BC Patil, S T Somashekar, Arbail Sivaram Hebbar and Mahesh Kumathalli from the Congress and K Gopalaiah, H D Vishwanath and Narayan Gowda from the JDS. 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. The 13-month-old Congress-JDS government had slumped into crisis after these MLAs resigned from the membership of the Assembly earlier this month. The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113.

Karnataka crisis: Kumaraswamy government to face trust vote today

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy is scheduled to move a trust vote in the state Assembly today. The Congress-Janata Dal Secular government in Karnataka received a big jolt on Wednesday when the Supreme Court ruled that the 15 rebel MLAs cannot be forced to take part in the trust vote in the state Assembly on Thursday.

D-Day for Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy

It was an anticlimactic Thursday in Karnataka as a combative <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-trust-vote-today-as-karnataka-assembly-gets-adjourned-bjp-mlas-call-for-overnight-sit-in-236961">Congress-JD(S) coalition delayed the trust vote</a> by another day. However, after a day of chaos, the Governor has intervened with a letter to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, asking him to hold the floor test by 1.30pm on Friday.&nbsp;

An earlier letter to the Speaker by Governor Vajubhai Vala to conduct the floor test by the end of Thursday was merely dismissed as a suggestion and not an order. "Though a message as contemplated under Article 175(2) is sent to the Speaker, I am informed that the House is adjourned today i.e, 18-07-2019. Under these circumstances, I require you to prove your majority on the floor of the house on or before 1.30 pm tomorrow" stated the Governor's letter.&nbsp;

The letter will further fuel debate in the house, with arguments also raging over the ambiguity over the constitutional right of a party to issue whip to its members during a trust vote. A whip, when issued, compels members to attend the house on the day of trust vote and vote in favour of the said party.&nbsp;

However, the Supreme Court verdict on Wednesday stated that the rebelling MLAs (whose resignations are yet to be accepted) cannot be compelled to attend the session. "SC says 15 MLAs ought not to be compelled to participate in the ongoing session of the house and an option should be given to them to attend or opt out. The SC order is curtailing my right under the 10th schedule of the constitution... Without even making me a party, SC has given this order" said CLP leader Siddaramaiah. In response, "Let me make it abundantly clear that this office is not restraining you (CLP leader) from acting as per your role... If a member of the house needs a leave of absence from the house, he should write a letter to me. I am at liberty to scrutinise the reason and will decide on whether to grant or not grant leave" said Speaker Ramesh Kumar.&nbsp;

Adding to the woes of the coalition government, another MLA Shrimanth Patil from Kagwad constituency slipped out from the resort where all the Congress MLAs had been holed up since Friday. While Patil sent a suspicious-looking letter without date or letterhead to the Speaker citing ill-health, Congress cried foul and claimed to be in possession of documentary evidence that proves the BJP had whisked him away.&nbsp;

Shortly afterwards pictures of BJP leader Lakshman Savadi escorting MLA Patil to the airport surfaced, adding more ammunition to the high-octane drama inside the Karnataka assembly. "We were all with Shrimanth Patil last night and he had dinner with us. Later, I was informed he is missing from the resort. He was healthy, but look at what the BJP has done" said Dinesh Gundu Rao, KPCC President.&nbsp;

Later in the night, the BJP released a counter video showing Shrimanth Kumar with his son at a hospital in Mumbai. Amidst the arguments and counter-arguments, Ramesh Kumar directed the Home Minister to dig into the truth behind Patil’s sudden disappearance from Bengaluru and submit a report on the same. With Patil gone, the coalition seems to have lost 20 votes that it had in its favour just a month ago.&nbsp;

Even as the pitched battle was on in the house, Ramesh Kumar sought assistance from the Advocate General Udaya Holla on the ambiguity over whip and its impact on the trust vote. The details of the discussion, however, remain undisclosed. As the day was closing with no signs of a trust vote, BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa, who hopes to be the next Chief Minister, thundered that his party leaders will stay put in the house all night as a mark of protest.&nbsp;

"Voting should take place at the earliest. Even the Governor has sent a message that the voting should have been completed by the end of the day. Without respecting the Governor’s words or the Supreme Court’s decision, they are discussing extraneous matters and using it as a delaying tactic. In protest the BJP has decided to go ahead with an overnight dharna inside the Vidhana Soudha" said Suresh Kumar, BJP leader.&nbsp;

In the 224 member house excluding the speaker, the coalition has 116 members. But looking at Thursday’s absentees, the house strength is down to 204, with the coalition having just 99 members, and the BJP sitting comfortably at 107. So then why is the coalition delaying the trust vote when the numbers clearly show the end is near? HD Kumaraswamy’s actions can be perceived in two ways. Firstly, he could be using the delay to pressurise the rebels with the threat of disqualification, hoping it will prompt them to return to the party fold. When an MLA gets disqualified he becomes ineligible to hold a ministership or position in the government until reelected.&nbsp;

Secondly, Congress and JD(S) are seeking to undo the Supreme Court order insulating the rebel MLAs, that does not compel them to attend the session despite a whip. If the Congress can get the Supreme Court to uphold the right of a party to issue whip to all its members(rebel or not), then the Congress &amp; JD(S) get solid grounds to move disqualification proceedings against the dissidents.&nbsp;

Currently, disqualification petitions have been submitted on relatively flimsy grounds of the MLAs skipping CLP meeting. Simply put, if Kumaraswamy knows he is going down, he might want to take those responsible down with him.&nbsp;

It was an anticlimactic Thursday in Karnataka as a combative Congress-JD(S) coalition delayed the trust vote by another day. However, after a day of chaos, the Governor has intervened with a letter to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, asking him to hold the floor test by 1.

It was an anticlimactic Thursday in Karnataka as a combative Congress-JD(S) coalition delayed the trust vote by another day. However, after a day of chaos, the Governor has intervened with a letter to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, asking him to hold the floor test by 1.30pm on Friday. An earlier letter to the Speaker by Governor Vajubhai Vala to conduct the floor test by the end of Thursday was merely dismissed as a suggestion and not an order. "Though a message as contemplated under Article 175(2) is sent to the Speaker, I am informed that the House is adjourned today i.e, 18-07-2019. Under these circumstances, I require you to prove your majority on the floor of the house on or before 1.30 pm tomorrow" stated the Governor's letter. The letter will further fuel debate in the house, with arguments also raging over the ambiguity over the constitutional right of a party to issue whip to its members during a trust vote. A whip, when issued, compels members to attend the house on the day of trust vote and vote in favour of the said party. However, the Supreme Court verdict on Wednesday stated that the rebelling MLAs (whose resignations are yet to be accepted) cannot be compelled to attend the session. "SC says 15 MLAs ought not to be compelled to participate in the ongoing session of the house and an option should be given to them to attend or opt out. The SC order is curtailing my right under the 10th schedule of the constitution... Without even making me a party, SC has given this order" said CLP leader Siddaramaiah. In response, "Let me make it abundantly clear that this office is not restraining you (CLP leader) from acting as per your role... If a member of the house needs a leave of absence from the house, he should write a letter to me. I am at liberty to scrutinise the reason and will decide on whether to grant or not grant leave" said Speaker Ramesh Kumar. Adding to the woes of the coalition government, another MLA Shrimanth Patil from Kagwad constituency slipped out from the resort where all the Congress MLAs had been holed up since Friday. While Patil sent a suspicious-looking letter without date or letterhead to the Speaker citing ill-health, Congress cried foul and claimed to be in possession of documentary evidence that proves the BJP had whisked him away. Shortly afterwards pictures of BJP leader Lakshman Savadi escorting MLA Patil to the airport surfaced, adding more ammunition to the high-octane drama inside the Karnataka assembly. "We were all with Shrimanth Patil last night and he had dinner with us. Later, I was informed he is missing from the resort. He was healthy, but look at what the BJP has done" said Dinesh Gundu Rao, KPCC President. Later in the night, the BJP released a counter video showing Shrimanth Kumar with his son at a hospital in Mumbai. Amidst the arguments and counter-arguments, Ramesh Kumar directed the Home Minister to dig into the truth behind Patil’s sudden disappearance from Bengaluru and submit a report on the same. With Patil gone, the coalition seems to have lost 20 votes that it had in its favour just a month ago. Even as the pitched battle was on in the house, Ramesh Kumar sought assistance from the Advocate General Udaya Holla on the ambiguity over whip and its impact on the trust vote. The details of the discussion, however, remain undisclosed. As the day was closing with no signs of a trust vote, BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa, who hopes to be the next Chief Minister, thundered that his party leaders will stay put in the house all night as a mark of protest. "Voting should take place at the earliest. Even the Governor has sent a message that the voting should have been completed by the end of the day. Without respecting the Governor’s words or the Supreme Court’s decision, they are discussing extraneous matters and using it as a delaying tactic. In protest the BJP has decided to go ahead with an overnight dharna inside the Vidhana Soudha" said Suresh Kumar, BJP leader. In the 224 member house excluding the speaker, the coalition has 116 members. But looking at Thursday’s absentees, the house strength is down to 204, with the coalition having just 99 members, and the BJP sitting comfortably at 107. So then why is the coalition delaying the trust vote when the numbers clearly show the end is near? HD Kumaraswamy’s actions can be perceived in two ways. Firstly, he could be using the delay to pressurise the rebels with the threat of disqualification, hoping it will prompt them to return to the party fold. When an MLA gets disqualified he becomes ineligible to hold a ministership or position in the government until reelected. Secondly, Congress and JD(S) are seeking to undo the Supreme Court order insulating the rebel MLAs, that does not compel them to attend the session despite a whip. If the Congress can get the Supreme Court to uphold the right of a party to issue whip to all its members(rebel or not), then the Congress & JD(S) get solid grounds to move disqualification proceedings against the dissidents. Currently, disqualification petitions have been submitted on relatively flimsy grounds of the MLAs skipping CLP meeting. Simply put, if Kumaraswamy knows he is going down, he might want to take those responsible down with him.

Karnataka Governor asks Chief Minister to hold floor test on Friday as Congress-JD(S) delay trust vote 

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-consider-trust-vote-by-end-of-the-day-governor-tells-speaker-236910">Karnataka State Assembly</a> was adjourned on Thursday indicating that a trust vote is not likely to be carried out today.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs have decided to stage an overnight sit-in in the Assembly demanding the Speaker replies to the Governor's letter and holds a floor test.&nbsp;

The State Assembly today debated a confidence motion moved by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy that came in the wake of several resignations submitted by Congress-JD(S) MLAs.

Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa has also urged for the voting to be held today. "Even if it is midnight, let the trust vote be held today," he said in the assembly.&nbsp;

After a BJP delegation met Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Thursday over delay in the trust vote, he asked Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh to consider holding the trust vote by end of the day.

"Motion of confidence is in consideration at the house. Chief Minister is expected to maintain the confidence of the house at all times. Consider trust vote by the end of the day," he told the Speaker in a letter.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy moved confidence motion in the state Assembly at 11 am to prove the majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers.

"I haven't come just because there is a question on whether I can run a coalition government or not. Events have shown that even the role of the Speaker has been put under jeopardy by some legislators," Kumaraswamy said in his opening speech.

He claimed that the dissenting legislators had moved the apex court with the BJP's assistance."A situation has been created so that people lose trust in us. Without any discussion they have wanted a trust vote", Kumaraswamy said.

BJP leaders claimed JD(S)-Congress coalition was delaying the trust vote fearing imminent defeat due to lack of majority numbers.

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Bengaluru: BJP MLAs to sit on an over night 'dharna' in the state assembly demanding that the Speaker replies to the Governor's letter and holds a floor test. Assembly adjourned for the day. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Karnataka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Karnataka</a> <a href="https://t.co/shZJisDiVM">pic.twitter.com/shZJisDiVM</a>
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Karnataka is facing a political turmoil ever since 13 Congress MLAs and 3 MLAs from the JDS have resigned from the Legislature. Further, two independent MLAs withdrew their support from the government.&nbsp;

As per the register of attendance, 18 MLAs were not present in the Assembly as the House took up the vote of confidence for debate.

The BJP has 105 MLAs in the 225-member state Assembly including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark is 113.

(With inputs from ANI) &nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Karnataka State Assembly was adjourned on Thursday indicating that a trust vote is not likely to be carried out today. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs have decided to stage an overnight sit-in in the Assembly demanding the Speaker replies to the Governor's letter and holds a floor test.

Karnataka State Assembly was adjourned on Thursday indicating that a trust vote is not likely to be carried out today. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs have decided to stage an overnight sit-in in the Assembly demanding the Speaker replies to the Governor's letter and holds a floor test. The State Assembly today debated a confidence motion moved by Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy that came in the wake of several resignations submitted by Congress-JD(S) MLAs. Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa has also urged for the voting to be held today. "Even if it is midnight, let the trust vote be held today," he said in the assembly. After a BJP delegation met Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Thursday over delay in the trust vote, he asked Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh to consider holding the trust vote by end of the day. "Motion of confidence is in consideration at the house. Chief Minister is expected to maintain the confidence of the house at all times. Consider trust vote by the end of the day," he told the Speaker in a letter. Earlier in the day, Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy moved confidence motion in the state Assembly at 11 am to prove the majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers. "I haven't come just because there is a question on whether I can run a coalition government or not. Events have shown that even the role of the Speaker has been put under jeopardy by some legislators," Kumaraswamy said in his opening speech. He claimed that the dissenting legislators had moved the apex court with the BJP's assistance."A situation has been created so that people lose trust in us. Without any discussion they have wanted a trust vote", Kumaraswamy said. BJP leaders claimed JD(S)-Congress coalition was delaying the trust vote fearing imminent defeat due to lack of majority numbers. Bengaluru: BJP MLAs to sit on an over night 'dharna' in the state assembly demanding that the Speaker replies to the Governor's letter and holds a floor test. Assembly adjourned for the day. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/shZJisDiVM — ANI (@ANI) July 18, 2019 × Karnataka is facing a political turmoil ever since 13 Congress MLAs and 3 MLAs from the JDS have resigned from the Legislature. Further, two independent MLAs withdrew their support from the government. As per the register of attendance, 18 MLAs were not present in the Assembly as the House took up the vote of confidence for debate. The BJP has 105 MLAs in the 225-member state Assembly including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark is 113. (With inputs from ANI)

No trust vote today as Karnataka Assembly gets adjourned; BJP MLAs call for overnight sit-in 

After a BJP delegation met Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Thursday over delay in the trust vote, he asked Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh to consider holding the trust vote by end of the day.

"Motion of confidence is in consideration at the house. Chief Minister is expected to maintain the confidence of the house at all times. Consider trust vote by the end of the day," he told&nbsp;the Speaker in a letter.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy moved confidence motion in the state Assembly at 11am to prove majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers.

"I haven't come just because there is a question on whether I can run a coalition government or not. Events have shown that even the role of the Speaker has been put under jeopardy by some legislators," Kumaraswamy said in his opening speech.

He claimed that the dissenting legislators had moved the apex court with the BJP's assistance."A situation has been created so that people lose trust in us. Without any discussion they have wanted a trust vote", Kumaraswamy said.

Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah that a floor test in the House will not be appropriate until a clarification is attained on the Supreme Court order allowing freedom to the 15 rebel MLAs from participating in the House proceedings.

"If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip is applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the house because of the SC order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government," he said.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders claimed JD(S)-Congress coalition was delaying the trust vote fearing imminent defeat due to lack of majority numbers.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court had ruled that the Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh cannot be forced to decide on the resignations of 15 rebel MLAs within a time frame.

The top court also said that the 15 rebel MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in the Assembly proceedings or the trust vote on Thursday.

15 rebel MLAs had 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;

After a BJP delegation met Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Thursday over delay in the trust vote, he asked Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh to consider holding the trust vote by end of the day.

After a BJP delegation met Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Thursday over delay in the trust vote, he asked Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh to consider holding the trust vote by end of the day. "Motion of confidence is in consideration at the house. Chief Minister is expected to maintain the confidence of the house at all times. Consider trust vote by the end of the day," he told the Speaker in a letter. Earlier in the day, Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy moved confidence motion in the state Assembly at 11am to prove majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers. "I haven't come just because there is a question on whether I can run a coalition government or not. Events have shown that even the role of the Speaker has been put under jeopardy by some legislators," Kumaraswamy said in his opening speech. He claimed that the dissenting legislators had moved the apex court with the BJP's assistance."A situation has been created so that people lose trust in us. Without any discussion they have wanted a trust vote", Kumaraswamy said. Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah that a floor test in the House will not be appropriate until a clarification is attained on the Supreme Court order allowing freedom to the 15 rebel MLAs from participating in the House proceedings. "If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip is applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the house because of the SC order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government," he said. Meanwhile, BJP leaders claimed JD(S)-Congress coalition was delaying the trust vote fearing imminent defeat due to lack of majority numbers. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court had ruled that the Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh cannot be forced to decide on the resignations of 15 rebel MLAs within a time frame. The top court also said that the 15 rebel MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in the Assembly proceedings or the trust vote on Thursday. 15 rebel MLAs had 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: Consider trust vote by end of the day, Governor writes to Speaker

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday moved confidence motion in the state Assembly to prove majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers.

"I haven't come just because there is a question on whether I can run a coalition government or not. Events have shown that even the role of the Speaker has been put under jeopardy by some legislators," Kumaraswamy said in his opening speech.

He claimed that the dissenting legislators had moved the apex court with the BJP's assistance."A situation has been created so that people lose trust in us. Without any discussion they have wanted a trust vote", Kumaraswamy said. 
 
Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah that a floor test in the House will not be appropriate until a clarification is attained on the Supreme Court order allowing freedom to the 15 rebel MLAs from participating in the House proceedings.

"If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip is applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the house because of the SC order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government," he said.

Meanwhile, BSP MLA N Mahesh stayed away from the vote of confidence motion.

On Wednesday, 15 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs said that they will not participate in the trust vote which will be held in Karnataka Assembly on Thursday.

The Supreme Court had ruled that the Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh cannot be forced to decide on the resignations of 15 rebel MLAs within a time frame.

The top court also said that the 15 rebel MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in the Assembly proceedings or the trust vote on Thursday.

15 rebel MLAs had 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;

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday moved confidence motion in the state Assembly to prove majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers.

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday moved confidence motion in the state Assembly to prove majority of his government amidst rebellion by a section of the lawmakers. "I haven't come just because there is a question on whether I can run a coalition government or not. Events have shown that even the role of the Speaker has been put under jeopardy by some legislators," Kumaraswamy said in his opening speech. He claimed that the dissenting legislators had moved the apex court with the BJP's assistance."A situation has been created so that people lose trust in us. Without any discussion they have wanted a trust vote", Kumaraswamy said. Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah that a floor test in the House will not be appropriate until a clarification is attained on the Supreme Court order allowing freedom to the 15 rebel MLAs from participating in the House proceedings. "If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip is applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the house because of the SC order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government," he said. Meanwhile, BSP MLA N Mahesh stayed away from the vote of confidence motion. On Wednesday, 15 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs said that they will not participate in the trust vote which will be held in Karnataka Assembly on Thursday. The Supreme Court had ruled that the Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh cannot be forced to decide on the resignations of 15 rebel MLAs within a time frame. The top court also said that the 15 rebel MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in the Assembly proceedings or the trust vote on Thursday. 15 rebel MLAs had 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: HD Kumaraswamy moves confidence motion to prove majority of JD(S)-Congress government

15 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs on Wednesday said that they will not participate in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnatakas-floor-test-to-be-held-thursday-236112">the trust vote</a> which will be held in Karnataka Assembly on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court said that the Karnataka <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-speaker-to-decide-on-resignations-of-15-mlas-as-he-wishes-says-supreme-court-236555">Speaker K R Ramesh cannot be forced</a> to decide on the resignations of 15 rebel MLAs within a time frame.

The top court also said that the 15 rebel MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in the Assembly proceedings or the trust vote on Thursday.

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.

Congress leader Shivakumar warned the Congress-JD(S) rebels of disqualification proceedings against them under the anti-defection law if they did not obey the whip and participate in the proceedings during the trust vote in the Assembly on Thursday.

Hitting out at BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa, the Karnataka minister said: "This landmark judgement has given strength to democratic process. Some BJP friends are trying to misguide that whip is not valid but the party can issue a whip &amp; take necessary action as per anti-defection law."

Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa said the SC verdict was a moral victory for the rebel MLAs.

"Karnataka CM has lost his mandate, when there is no majority he must resign tomorrow. I welcome SC's decision, it's the victory of constitution and democracy, a moral victory for rebel MLAs. It's only an interim order, SC will decide powers of Speaker in future," he said.

15 rebel MLAs had 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)

15 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs on Wednesday said that they will not participate in the trust vote which will be held in Karnataka Assembly on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court said that the Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh cannot be forced to decide on the resignations of 15 rebel MLAs within a time frame.

15 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs on Wednesday said that they will not participate in the trust vote which will be held in Karnataka Assembly on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court said that the Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh cannot be forced to decide on the resignations of 15 rebel MLAs within a time frame. The top court also said that the 15 rebel MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in the Assembly proceedings or the trust vote on Thursday. 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. Congress leader Shivakumar warned the Congress-JD(S) rebels of disqualification proceedings against them under the anti-defection law if they did not obey the whip and participate in the proceedings during the trust vote in the Assembly on Thursday. Hitting out at BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa, the Karnataka minister said: "This landmark judgement has given strength to democratic process. Some BJP friends are trying to misguide that whip is not valid but the party can issue a whip & take necessary action as per anti-defection law." Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa said the SC verdict was a moral victory for the rebel MLAs. "Karnataka CM has lost his mandate, when there is no majority he must resign tomorrow. I welcome SC's decision, it's the victory of constitution and democracy, a moral victory for rebel MLAs. It's only an interim order, SC will decide powers of Speaker in future," he said. 15 rebel MLAs had 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: Rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs refuse to participate in trust vote on Thursday

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

Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its order on 15 rebel&nbsp;Karnataka MLAs plea against Speaker K R Ramesh for not accepting their resignations.

The top court will pronounce the verdict at 10.30am on Wednesday. 
 
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.

Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi representing rebel MLAs said, "I don't want to be an MLA. Nobody can force me. My resignation must be accepted."

Rohatgi said the Speaker can't hold the resignations for so many days. "This is an attempt to scuttle their resignations. The Speaker is trying to make a decision on both the issues-resignation and disqualification-at the same time," he said. 
 
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who is representing Speaker, said that four of the MLAs who had resigned did not even present themselves before the Speaker."The rules are clear. The member of the House has to personally appear before the Speaker," he said, when asked by the CJI if the resignations were not genuine.

The Supreme Court on Friday 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.

Meanwhile, the Kumaraswamy government will face the trust vote in Karnataka Assembly at 11am on Thursday.

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)

Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its order on 15 rebel Karnataka MLAs plea against Speaker K R Ramesh for not accepting their resignations. The top court will pronounce the verdict at 10.

Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its order on 15 rebel Karnataka MLAs plea against Speaker K R Ramesh for not accepting their resignations. The top court will pronounce the verdict at 10.30am on Wednesday. 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. Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi representing rebel MLAs said, "I don't want to be an MLA. Nobody can force me. My resignation must be accepted." Rohatgi said the Speaker can't hold the resignations for so many days. "This is an attempt to scuttle their resignations. The Speaker is trying to make a decision on both the issues-resignation and disqualification-at the same time," he said. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who is representing Speaker, said that four of the MLAs who had resigned did not even present themselves before the Speaker."The rules are clear. The member of the House has to personally appear before the Speaker," he said, when asked by the CJI if the resignations were not genuine. The Supreme Court on Friday 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. Meanwhile, the Kumaraswamy government will face the trust vote in Karnataka Assembly at 11am on Thursday. 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)

Supreme Court to pronounce order in Karnataka rebel MLAs case on Wednesday

Supreme Court on Tuesday took up the pleas of 10&nbsp;rebel Karnataka MLAs against Speaker K R Ramesh for not accepting their resignations.

Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi representing rebel MLAs said, "I don't want to be an MLA. Nobody can force me. My resignation must be accepted."

Rohatgi said the Speaker can't hold the resignations for so many days. "This is an attempt to scuttle their resignations. The Speaker is trying to make a decision on both the issues-resignation and disqualification-at the same time," he said.

The Supreme Court on Friday 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.

Meanwhile, the Kumaraswamy government will face the trust vote in Karnataka Assembly at 11am on Thursday.

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)

Supreme Court on Tuesday took up the pleas of 10 rebel Karnataka MLAs against Speaker K R Ramesh for not accepting their resignations. Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi representing rebel MLAs said, "I don't want to be an MLA.

Supreme Court on Tuesday took up the pleas of 10 rebel Karnataka MLAs against Speaker K R Ramesh for not accepting their resignations. Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi representing rebel MLAs said, "I don't want to be an MLA. Nobody can force me. My resignation must be accepted." Rohatgi said the Speaker can't hold the resignations for so many days. "This is an attempt to scuttle their resignations. The Speaker is trying to make a decision on both the issues-resignation and disqualification-at the same time," he said. The Supreme Court on Friday 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. Meanwhile, the Kumaraswamy government will face the trust vote in Karnataka Assembly at 11am on Thursday. 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: Supreme Court takes up rebel MLAs' plea

Rebel Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy has skipped his meeting with Karnataka Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh, who had called him to check whether he had resigned voluntarily. Reddy, who was among the dissident Congress MLAs, was called by the Speaker on Monday evening to check whether his resignation was on his own volition and voluntary so that the presiding officer could take a decision on the resignation."I went to see doctor, it got delayed. Speakers'&nbsp;office will call me, I will go today or tomorrow, whenever they call me," he told ANI on his skipping the meeting. 
 
Reddy may be called by the Speaker today, sources said. Reddy, who along with nine Congress-JD(S) MLAs resigned on July 6, said that he tendered his resignation due to party`s internal matters."My reasons (of resignation) were purely internal and party, not on high command and not on Congress party, not on the chief minister," he said. 
 
However, the Speaker had rejected eight MLAs resignation including that of Reddy, saying their resignation was not in order. When asked whether he is planning to attend the floor test, Reddy said, "My resignation is not accepted till now, so I will attend the test."Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear an impleading petition by five Karnataka rebel MLAs in the case relating to early decision by Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar. 
 
The 13-month old Congress-JDS government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly on Saturday. 
 
&nbsp;

Rebel Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy has skipped his meeting with Karnataka Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh, who had called him to check whether he had resigned voluntarily.

Rebel Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy has skipped his meeting with Karnataka Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh, who had called him to check whether he had resigned voluntarily. Reddy, who was among the dissident Congress MLAs, was called by the Speaker on Monday evening to check whether his resignation was on his own volition and voluntary so that the presiding officer could take a decision on the resignation."I went to see doctor, it got delayed. Speakers' office will call me, I will go today or tomorrow, whenever they call me," he told ANI on his skipping the meeting. Reddy may be called by the Speaker today, sources said. Reddy, who along with nine Congress-JD(S) MLAs resigned on July 6, said that he tendered his resignation due to party`s internal matters."My reasons (of resignation) were purely internal and party, not on high command and not on Congress party, not on the chief minister," he said. However, the Speaker had rejected eight MLAs resignation including that of Reddy, saying their resignation was not in order. When asked whether he is planning to attend the floor test, Reddy said, "My resignation is not accepted till now, so I will attend the test."Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear an impleading petition by five Karnataka rebel MLAs in the case relating to early decision by Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar. The 13-month old Congress-JDS government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly on Saturday.

Rebel Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy skips meeting with Karnataka Assembly Speaker

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/siddaramaiah-holds-meeting-with-rebel-mla-ramalinga-reddy-236030&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiw9tesmbbjAhVl63MBHQx7C9AQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1-yfHO6BMqXvFpImxZHVmm">Rebel Karnataka MLAs</a> are likely to move the Supreme Court again on Monday, sources said.&nbsp;

The legislators are likely to move the court for contempt proceedings against Congress leaders as the top court has ordered a status quo, however, Congress is trying to influence and threaten the MLAs in many ways, sources added.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the 14 MLAs residing at Renaissance Hotel here wrote to Senior Police Inspector, Powai Police Station, over an alleged "threat" from senior Karnataka and Maharashtra Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Ghulam Nabi Azad.&nbsp;

Seeking protection, the leaders urged the police officer to make necessary arrangements to ensure that the leaders are not allowed to meet them.

"We the respected Members of Karnataka Assembly are currently staying at Renaissance Hotel Powai, would like to inform you that we have absolutely no intentions in meeting Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji or Ghulam Nabi Azad Ji or any Congress dignitaries or functionaries from Maharashtra and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/five-more-karnataka-congress-mlas-move-supreme-court-235563&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiw9tesmbbjAhVl63MBHQx7C9AQFjADegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2zzcTb51jNYdb4cknXCfWM">Karnataka Congress team leaders</a> or any other political leaders.

We anticipate a serious threat from them.&nbsp;

We hereby request you to kindly make necessary arrangements to stop these people from meeting us in case the situation arises," the letter read.&nbsp;

Among the legislators who signed the aforesaid letter are Shivram Hebbar, B.C. Patil, Mahesh K, Vishwanath, Muniratnam, Narayan Gowda, R Shankar, H Nagesh, Pratap Patil, Gopalaiah, Ramesh J, MTB Nagraj, Somshekar, and Basavaraja.

On July 11, the dissident MLAs had returned to the hotel here after meeting Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar in Bengaluru.&nbsp;

The development came after the Supreme Court had directed them to meet the Speaker and resubmit their resignations afresh.&nbsp;

In a twist to the political stalemate in Karnataka, the apex 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.

Rebel Karnataka MLAs are likely to move the Supreme Court again on Monday, sources said. The legislators are likely to move the court for contempt proceedings against Congress leaders as the top court has ordered a status quo, however, Congress is trying to influence and threaten the MLAs in many ways, sources added.

Rebel Karnataka MLAs are likely to move the Supreme Court again on Monday, sources said. The legislators are likely to move the court for contempt proceedings against Congress leaders as the top court has ordered a status quo, however, Congress is trying to influence and threaten the MLAs in many ways, sources added. Meanwhile, the 14 MLAs residing at Renaissance Hotel here wrote to Senior Police Inspector, Powai Police Station, over an alleged "threat" from senior Karnataka and Maharashtra Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge and Ghulam Nabi Azad. Seeking protection, the leaders urged the police officer to make necessary arrangements to ensure that the leaders are not allowed to meet them. "We the respected Members of Karnataka Assembly are currently staying at Renaissance Hotel Powai, would like to inform you that we have absolutely no intentions in meeting Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji or Ghulam Nabi Azad Ji or any Congress dignitaries or functionaries from Maharashtra and Karnataka Congress team leaders or any other political leaders. We anticipate a serious threat from them. We hereby request you to kindly make necessary arrangements to stop these people from meeting us in case the situation arises," the letter read. Among the legislators who signed the aforesaid letter are Shivram Hebbar, B.C. Patil, Mahesh K, Vishwanath, Muniratnam, Narayan Gowda, R Shankar, H Nagesh, Pratap Patil, Gopalaiah, Ramesh J, MTB Nagraj, Somshekar, and Basavaraja. On July 11, the dissident MLAs had returned to the hotel here after meeting Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar in Bengaluru. The development came after the Supreme Court had directed them to meet the Speaker and resubmit their resignations afresh. In a twist to the political stalemate in Karnataka, the apex 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.

Rebel Karnataka MLAs likely to move Supreme Court today

The fourteen rebel Karnataka Congress MLAs lodged in a hotel on Monday once again complained of threats from party's top leaders.

In a letter to Mumbai Police, the MLAs said they had “absolutely no intention of meeting Mallikarjun Kharge or Ghulam Nabi Azad or any Congress dignitaries or functionaries from Maharashtra or Karnataka Congress team leaders or any other political leader. We anticipate the serious threat from them and so we, hereby, request to kindly make necessary arrangements to stop these people from meeting us in case the situation arises.”&nbsp;

The 14 MLAs are staying at Hotel Renaissance at Powai in Mumbai.

Meanwhile, opposition BJP reiterated that the coalition has lost majority and demanded that Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy resign immediately or seek a trust vote on Monday itself.&nbsp;

The coalition government is on a shaky wicket with 16 MLAs -- 13 of the Congress and 3 of the JD(S) resigning their assembly membership.&nbsp;

Besides, two independent legislators, who were made ministers recently to provide stability, have quit the ministry and withdrawn support.

(With inputs from agencies)

The fourteen rebel Karnataka Congress MLAs lodged in a hotel on Monday once again complained of threats from party's top leaders. In a letter to Mumbai Police, the MLAs said they had “absolutely no intention of meeting Mallikarjun Kharge or Ghulam Nabi Azad or any Congress dignitaries or functionaries from Maharashtra or Karnataka Congress team leaders or any other political leader.

The fourteen rebel Karnataka Congress MLAs lodged in a hotel on Monday once again complained of threats from party's top leaders. In a letter to Mumbai Police, the MLAs said they had “absolutely no intention of meeting Mallikarjun Kharge or Ghulam Nabi Azad or any Congress dignitaries or functionaries from Maharashtra or Karnataka Congress team leaders or any other political leader. We anticipate the serious threat from them and so we, hereby, request to kindly make necessary arrangements to stop these people from meeting us in case the situation arises.” The 14 MLAs are staying at Hotel Renaissance at Powai in Mumbai. Meanwhile, opposition BJP reiterated that the coalition has lost majority and demanded that Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy resign immediately or seek a trust vote on Monday itself. The coalition government is on a shaky wicket with 16 MLAs -- 13 of the Congress and 3 of the JD(S) resigning their assembly membership. Besides, two independent legislators, who were made ministers recently to provide stability, have quit the ministry and withdrawn support. (With inputs from agencies)

Karnataka crisis: Rebel Congress MLAs write to police over threat from party veterans

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah met Congress leader and rebel MLA Ramalinga Reddy, hours after he held a meeting with party MLAs at Taj Vivanta here on Sunday.&nbsp;

The Congress party has also called a meeting of the legislature party tomorrow. This meeting comes ahead of BJP's demand for a trust vote in the state Assembly on Monday.&nbsp;

Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah told ANI on Sunday that the meeting will be held before the start of the Assembly session tomorrow.&nbsp;

The Congress-JD(S) government has plunged into crisis following the resignation by several MLAs from the House.&nbsp;

Ten dissident Congress and JD(S) MLAs have moved the Supreme Court which has directed the Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to maintain status quo on their resignation and disqualification till July 16.&nbsp;

State BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa had asked Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to prove his government`s majority in the Assembly on Monday.&nbsp;

Kumaraswamy had on Friday told the Speaker that he was ready to seek a trust vote or face a no-confidence motion during the session which will go on till July 26.

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah met Congress leader and rebel MLA Ramalinga Reddy, hours after he held a meeting with party MLAs at Taj Vivanta here on Sunday.

Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah met Congress leader and rebel MLA Ramalinga Reddy, hours after he held a meeting with party MLAs at Taj Vivanta here on Sunday. The Congress party has also called a meeting of the legislature party tomorrow. This meeting comes ahead of BJP's demand for a trust vote in the state Assembly on Monday. Congress leader and former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah told ANI on Sunday that the meeting will be held before the start of the Assembly session tomorrow. The Congress-JD(S) government has plunged into crisis following the resignation by several MLAs from the House. Ten dissident Congress and JD(S) MLAs have moved the Supreme Court which has directed the Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to maintain status quo on their resignation and disqualification till July 16. State BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa had asked Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to prove his government`s majority in the Assembly on Monday. Kumaraswamy had on Friday told the Speaker that he was ready to seek a trust vote or face a no-confidence motion during the session which will go on till July 26.

Siddaramaiah holds meeting with rebel MLA Ramalinga Reddy

Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Monday said that he will take up trust vote on Thursday after the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on the plea of rebel MLAs. 
 
The trust vote will be held at 11am on Thursday, Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah confirmed.&nbsp;

Kumaraswamy had on Friday told the Speaker that he was ready to seek a trust vote or face a no-confidence motion during the session which will go on July 26.

Karnataka government has been reduced to minority in the Assembly after 16 rebel legislators have resigned and 2 Independents withdrew support to it.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Friday asked Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh to not to decide on the resignations or disqualifications of the MLAs till Tuesday.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that it will consider the issue on Tuesday.

Supreme Court's direction came after ten Congress and JD(S) MLAs had 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.

The top court on Tuesday will also hear an impending plea of five rebel MLAs against Assembly Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar`s decision to not accept their resignations.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Monday said that he will take up trust vote on Thursday after the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on the plea of rebel MLAs.

Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Monday said that he will take up trust vote on Thursday after the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on the plea of rebel MLAs. The trust vote will be held at 11am on Thursday, Congress leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah confirmed. Kumaraswamy had on Friday told the Speaker that he was ready to seek a trust vote or face a no-confidence motion during the session which will go on July 26. Karnataka government has been reduced to minority in the Assembly after 16 rebel legislators have resigned and 2 Independents withdrew support to it. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Friday asked Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh to not to decide on the resignations or disqualifications of the MLAs till Tuesday. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that it will consider the issue on Tuesday. Supreme Court's direction came after ten Congress and JD(S) MLAs had 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. The top court on Tuesday will also hear an impending plea of five rebel MLAs against Assembly Speaker K.R. Ramesh Kumar`s decision to not accept their resignations. (With inputs from agencies)

Karnataka crisis: Kumaraswamy government to face trust vote on July 18

Five more Karnataka Congress MLAs moved the Supreme Court on Saturday, contending they had resigned "voluntarily" and that their resignation must be accepted by the Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar.

The petition, filed by Anand Singh, K Sudhakar, N Nagaraju, Munirathna and Roshan Baig of the Congress party, has sought a direction to the Speaker to not proceed with the application for their disqualification.

The legislators also claimed that there was no disqualification proceeding against them when they resigned.

"The disqualification proceedings are being used to threaten and intimidate the MLAs. On one hand, the Speaker is not acting upon the resignation and on the other, a whip has been issued threatening disqualification for failure to attend the legislature proceeding starting July 12," the petition stated.

The rebel MLAs said that when some of the applicants submitted their resignation on July 10, they were manhandled in the Assembly and were confined.

"They were rescued by the police personnel from the Legislative Assembly," the plea said.

The plea also submitted that their resignations were in "accordance with Rule 202 of the Rules of Procedure and the Conduct of Business of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly."

On Friday, the Supreme Court took up the petitions of 10 dissident MLAs and directed the Speaker to maintain the status quo on their resignation and disqualification till July 16.

The 13-month-old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 10 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly on July 6.

It is worth mentioning that R Shankar and H Nagesh, who have taken back their support to the ruling party, have requested the Speaker to make separate sitting arrangement for them in the Assembly.

Five more Karnataka Congress MLAs moved the Supreme Court on Saturday, contending they had resigned "voluntarily" and that their resignation must be accepted by the Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar.

Five more Karnataka Congress MLAs moved the Supreme Court on Saturday, contending they had resigned "voluntarily" and that their resignation must be accepted by the Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar. The petition, filed by Anand Singh, K Sudhakar, N Nagaraju, Munirathna and Roshan Baig of the Congress party, has sought a direction to the Speaker to not proceed with the application for their disqualification. The legislators also claimed that there was no disqualification proceeding against them when they resigned. "The disqualification proceedings are being used to threaten and intimidate the MLAs. On one hand, the Speaker is not acting upon the resignation and on the other, a whip has been issued threatening disqualification for failure to attend the legislature proceeding starting July 12," the petition stated. The rebel MLAs said that when some of the applicants submitted their resignation on July 10, they were manhandled in the Assembly and were confined. "They were rescued by the police personnel from the Legislative Assembly," the plea said. The plea also submitted that their resignations were in "accordance with Rule 202 of the Rules of Procedure and the Conduct of Business of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly." On Friday, the Supreme Court took up the petitions of 10 dissident MLAs and directed the Speaker to maintain the status quo on their resignation and disqualification till July 16. The 13-month-old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 10 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly on July 6. It is worth mentioning that R Shankar and H Nagesh, who have taken back their support to the ruling party, have requested the Speaker to make separate sitting arrangement for them in the Assembly.

Five more Karnataka Congress MLAs move Supreme Court

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath will be in Bengaluru on Sunday as his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-ready-for-both-trust-vote-or-no-confidence-motion-hd-kumaraswamy-tells-speaker-235296">party battles a political crisis</a> to save the coalition government in Karnataka.

His visit assumes significance in the context of efforts mounted by Congress to woo back the rebels to its fold ahead of a possible trial of strength in the Assembly.

Congress leader D K Shivakumar visited the residence of party`s dissident MLA M T B Nagaraj early on Saturday morning to convince him to take back his resignation. Hoskote MLA Nagaraj and Chikballapur Congress MLA Dr K Sudhakar resigned from the Assembly on July 10.

The 13-month-old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 10 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week.&nbsp;

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath will be in Bengaluru on Sunday as his party battles a political crisis to save the coalition government in Karnataka. His visit assumes significance in the context of efforts mounted by Congress to woo back the rebels to its fold ahead of a possible trial of strength in the Assembly.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath will be in Bengaluru on Sunday as his party battles a political crisis to save the coalition government in Karnataka. His visit assumes significance in the context of efforts mounted by Congress to woo back the rebels to its fold ahead of a possible trial of strength in the Assembly. Congress leader D K Shivakumar visited the residence of party`s dissident MLA M T B Nagaraj early on Saturday morning to convince him to take back his resignation. Hoskote MLA Nagaraj and Chikballapur Congress MLA Dr K Sudhakar resigned from the Assembly on July 10. The 13-month-old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 10 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath to visit Karnataka amid political crisis

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday said he was ready to seek a trust vote and asked Speaker K R Ramesh to fix time and date for the same.

"After all these developments, I am seeking your permission and time to prove the majority in this session," he told Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar in the Assembly.

Kumaraswamy said he was also ready to face a trial of strength in the Assembly if the BJP moved a no-confidence motion. 
 
The Speaker said he will allot a slot for the trust vote whenever the chief minister opts for it. 
 
Former Karnataka chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah&nbsp;said that he is confident that the JD(S)-Congress coalition government will win a vote of confidence in the Assembly."

I do not want to disclose but I am confident that we will win the vote of confidence motion," he said referring to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's statement in the House that he was ready to face a floor test.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court ordered a Status Quo on the resignations of rebel MLAs till Tuesday. The court directed the Assembly Speaker not to decide&nbsp;on the resignations or disqualifications of the MLAs until then.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that it will consider the issue on Tuesday.

Ten Congress and JD(S) MLAs on Thursday had moved the Supreme 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.

A total of 16 MLAs including 13 from the Congress and 3 from JD(S) have resigned even as two independents have withdrawn support to the 13-month old Congress-JD(S) coalition government

(Inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday said he was ready to seek a trust vote and asked Speaker K R Ramesh to fix time and date for the same. "After all these developments, I am seeking your permission and time to prove the majority in this session," he told Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar in the Assembly.

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday said he was ready to seek a trust vote and asked Speaker K R Ramesh to fix time and date for the same. "After all these developments, I am seeking your permission and time to prove the majority in this session," he told Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar in the Assembly. Kumaraswamy said he was also ready to face a trial of strength in the Assembly if the BJP moved a no-confidence motion. The Speaker said he will allot a slot for the trust vote whenever the chief minister opts for it. Former Karnataka chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said that he is confident that the JD(S)-Congress coalition government will win a vote of confidence in the Assembly." I do not want to disclose but I am confident that we will win the vote of confidence motion," he said referring to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's statement in the House that he was ready to face a floor test. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court ordered a Status Quo on the resignations of rebel MLAs till Tuesday. The court directed the Assembly Speaker not to decide on the resignations or disqualifications of the MLAs until then. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that it will consider the issue on Tuesday. Ten Congress and JD(S) MLAs on Thursday had moved the Supreme 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. A total of 16 MLAs including 13 from the Congress and 3 from JD(S) have resigned even as two independents have withdrawn support to the 13-month old Congress-JD(S) coalition government (Inputs from agencies)

Karnataka crisis: Ready for both trust vote or no-confidence motion, HD Kumaraswamy tells Speaker

The Supreme Court on Friday asked Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh to not to decide on the resignations or disqualifications of the MLAs till Tuesday.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi&nbsp;said that it will consider the issue on Tuesday.

The observation came after Speaker K R Ramesh submitted his report to the top court today after meeting ten rebel MLAs.

Mukul Rohatgi, rebel MLAs' counsel, submitted to the Supreme Court that the Speaker is answerable to this court, except under certain circumstances. He argued that Speaker had no immunity with regard to the acceptance of resignations.

Meanwhile, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, making submissions for Speaker, said that the Speaker needs to ensure that resignations are voluntary and genuine.

"These MLAs' intention in giving resignation is something different, and it is to avoid disqualification," he said.

MLAs had met Kumar on Thursday evening after they were directed by the Supreme Court to meet the Speaker and resubmit their resignations in person. Following the meeting with the MLAs, the Speaker had said that he will consider "to his satisfaction" whether the resignations were genuine and voluntary before taking a decision.

Ten Congress and JD(S) MLAs had earlier moved the Supreme 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.

The Speaker had submitted that the rebel MLAs who have approached the apex court have cast aspersions questioning his integrity which are completely false and frivolous.

The 13-month-old Congress-JDS government had earlier this month slumped into crisis following the resignation of 10 MLAs.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Assembly session began today. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said he is prepared for the floor test and sought time for the same. "After all these developments, I am seeking your permission &amp; time to prove the majority in this session," he told the Speaker. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Supreme Court on Friday asked Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh to not to decide on the resignations or disqualifications of the MLAs till Tuesday. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that it will consider the issue on Tuesday.

The Supreme Court on Friday asked Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh to not to decide on the resignations or disqualifications of the MLAs till Tuesday. A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that it will consider the issue on Tuesday. The observation came after Speaker K R Ramesh submitted his report to the top court today after meeting ten rebel MLAs. Mukul Rohatgi, rebel MLAs' counsel, submitted to the Supreme Court that the Speaker is answerable to this court, except under certain circumstances. He argued that Speaker had no immunity with regard to the acceptance of resignations. Meanwhile, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, making submissions for Speaker, said that the Speaker needs to ensure that resignations are voluntary and genuine. "These MLAs' intention in giving resignation is something different, and it is to avoid disqualification," he said. MLAs had met Kumar on Thursday evening after they were directed by the Supreme Court to meet the Speaker and resubmit their resignations in person. Following the meeting with the MLAs, the Speaker had said that he will consider "to his satisfaction" whether the resignations were genuine and voluntary before taking a decision. Ten Congress and JD(S) MLAs had earlier moved the Supreme 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. The Speaker had submitted that the rebel MLAs who have approached the apex court have cast aspersions questioning his integrity which are completely false and frivolous. The 13-month-old Congress-JDS government had earlier this month slumped into crisis following the resignation of 10 MLAs. Meanwhile, the Karnataka Assembly session began today. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said he is prepared for the floor test and sought time for the same. "After all these developments, I am seeking your permission & time to prove the majority in this session," he told the Speaker. (With inputs from agencies)

Karnataka crisis: Supreme Court orders status quo till Tuesday on rebel MLAs' resignations

Amid the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-rebel-legislators-knock-supreme-courts-door-234523">political upheaval in Karnataka</a>, a meeting of the state Cabinet will be held on Thursday at Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru.

According to the Chief Minister's Office, the Cabinet meeting will have all the ministers as they have only submitted their resignations to their party presidents, not to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.

The meeting comes a day after Karnataka Water Minister DK Shivakumar, who went to Mumbai to meet the rebel MLAs staying at a hotel there, was detained by Mumbai Police and not allowed to meet the rebel MLAs.

Shivakumar, who returned to Bengaluru late on Wednesday, said it was a "matter of shame" that he was "forcefully deported" back to Bengaluru.

"Mumbai is known for its hospitality. I had booked a room there and was on an official visit to meet my friends and colleagues, but BJP and officials misused their authority. It's a matter of shame," Shivakumar told ANI.

Soon after Shivakumar, rebel Karnataka Congress MLA ST Somashekar also returned to Bengaluru from Mumbai. Somashekhar, who is the Chairman of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), is expected to attend a meeting of the BDA scheduled to take place later today.

"I have come back. I will be here in Bengaluru; I am not going back to Mumbai. I have resigned, (but) I am in Congress party," Somashekar told ANI after returning to Bengaluru.

Somashekar, along with nine other MLAs of Congress and JDS, was staying at the Renaissance - Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel.

Shivakumar had reached the hotel in Mumbai on Wednesday morning to pacify the rebel MLAs.

He was, however, forced to sit outside the hotel after being denied entry.

Later, Mumbai Police detained Shivakumar, Milind Deora and other Congressmen and kept them at Kalinga University rest house.

The 13-month old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 10 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week. Congress'&nbsp;Roshan Baig and independent H Nagesh have also deserted the HD Kumaraswamy government.

The Congress has been accusing the BJP of conspiring to topple the coalition government in Karnataka.

The ruling alliance is making all efforts to protect its government which seems to have fallen short of a majority.

The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113.&nbsp;

Amid the political upheaval in Karnataka, a meeting of the state Cabinet will be held on Thursday at Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru. According to the Chief Minister's Office, the Cabinet meeting will have all the ministers as they have only submitted their resignations to their party presidents, not to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.

Amid the political upheaval in Karnataka, a meeting of the state Cabinet will be held on Thursday at Vidhan Soudha in Bengaluru. According to the Chief Minister's Office, the Cabinet meeting will have all the ministers as they have only submitted their resignations to their party presidents, not to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy. The meeting comes a day after Karnataka Water Minister DK Shivakumar, who went to Mumbai to meet the rebel MLAs staying at a hotel there, was detained by Mumbai Police and not allowed to meet the rebel MLAs. Shivakumar, who returned to Bengaluru late on Wednesday, said it was a "matter of shame" that he was "forcefully deported" back to Bengaluru. "Mumbai is known for its hospitality. I had booked a room there and was on an official visit to meet my friends and colleagues, but BJP and officials misused their authority. It's a matter of shame," Shivakumar told ANI. Soon after Shivakumar, rebel Karnataka Congress MLA ST Somashekar also returned to Bengaluru from Mumbai. Somashekhar, who is the Chairman of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), is expected to attend a meeting of the BDA scheduled to take place later today. "I have come back. I will be here in Bengaluru; I am not going back to Mumbai. I have resigned, (but) I am in Congress party," Somashekar told ANI after returning to Bengaluru. Somashekar, along with nine other MLAs of Congress and JDS, was staying at the Renaissance - Mumbai Convention Centre Hotel. Shivakumar had reached the hotel in Mumbai on Wednesday morning to pacify the rebel MLAs. He was, however, forced to sit outside the hotel after being denied entry. Later, Mumbai Police detained Shivakumar, Milind Deora and other Congressmen and kept them at Kalinga University rest house. The 13-month old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 10 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week. Congress' Roshan Baig and independent H Nagesh have also deserted the HD Kumaraswamy government. The Congress has been accusing the BJP of conspiring to topple the coalition government in Karnataka. The ruling alliance is making all efforts to protect its government which seems to have fallen short of a majority. The state Assembly has 225 members, including one nominated MLA. The halfway mark in the 225-member Assembly is 113.

Amidst crisis, Kumaraswamy to chair cabinet meeting today

Congress leaders including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday staged a protest in Parliament over the political crisis in Karnataka and Goa. 
 
Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Adhir Ranjan Choudhury, Shashi Tharoor, Gaurav Gogoi, and many others joined the demonstrating lawmakers who raised slogans while carrying black and white banners.

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The protest comes a day after 10&nbsp;Goa Congress MLAs out of 15 split from the Congress and merged with the BJP on Wednesday, reducing the Congress strength to just five members. Strength of BJP has now risen to 27.

In Karnataka, Several JD(S) and Congress MLAs have resigned&nbsp;withdrawing support from the coalition government in the state.

Congress leaders have repeatedly accused the BJP and the Central government of orchestrating the current crisis in Karnataka and Goa, a charge the BJP has denied. 
 
BJP leaders have asserted that the Saffron Party has nothing to do with the ongoing crisis in both states. 
&nbsp; 
Meanwhile, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of &nbsp;Congress MPs of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at Congress office in Parliament. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Congress leaders including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday staged a protest in Parliament over the political crisis in Karnataka and Goa. Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Adhir Ranjan Choudhury, Shashi Tharoor, Gaurav Gogoi, and many others joined the demonstrating lawmakers who raised slogans while carrying black and white banners.

Congress leaders including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday staged a protest in Parliament over the political crisis in Karnataka and Goa. Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Adhir Ranjan Choudhury, Shashi Tharoor, Gaurav Gogoi, and many others joined the demonstrating lawmakers who raised slogans while carrying black and white banners. Delhi: Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Anand Sharma protest in front of Gandhi statue in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi tells ANI, "We are protesting against Karnataka and Goa issue" pic.twitter.com/wmZCj7Pihn — ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2019 × The protest comes a day after 10 Goa Congress MLAs out of 15 split from the Congress and merged with the BJP on Wednesday, reducing the Congress strength to just five members. Strength of BJP has now risen to 27. In Karnataka, Several JD(S) and Congress MLAs have resigned withdrawing support from the coalition government in the state. Congress leaders have repeatedly accused the BJP and the Central government of orchestrating the current crisis in Karnataka and Goa, a charge the BJP has denied. BJP leaders have asserted that the Saffron Party has nothing to do with the ongoing crisis in both states. Meanwhile, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of Congress MPs of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha at Congress office in Parliament. (With inputs from agencies)

Congress leaders stage protest over political crisis in Karnataka and Goa; Sonia Gandhi meets party MPs

The political crisis in Karnataka has reached the Supreme Court. The rebel MLAs, who have decided to quit the ruling Congress-JD(S) government, have moved the top court questioning the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-assembly-speaker-writes-to-governor-asks-rebel-mlas-to-meet-him-234261">Karnataka Assembly Speaker</a> KR Ramesh Kumar's decision to reject their resignations.

The court has agreed to hear their petition on Thursday.

Kumar had rejected the resignations of eight of the 13 MLAs on Tuesday. "Out of 13 resignations, eight are not according to law. I've given them time to present themselves before me," he said on Tuesday.

The Speaker also said that he received a petition from Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramiah seeking disqualification of the dissident MLAs.

The 13-month-old Congress-JD(S) government <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kumaraswamy-government-inching-towards-minority-as-another-legislator-pulls-support-233919">slumped into crisis</a> following the resignation of 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week.

The strength of Karnataka Assembly is going to be reduced to 210 - the ruling coalition will have 104 members. With the bench strength of 105, the opposition BJP will be just one short of the majority mark.

Congress leaders have repeatedly accused the BJP and the Central government of orchestrating the current crisis in the state, a charge the BJP has denied.

The Congress-JD(S) coalition is making all efforts to protect its government which seems to have fallen short of a majority.

All the ministers from the two parties have resigned paving way for the restructuring of the state Cabinet in a bid to accommodate the dissident MLAs.

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has claimed that they will overcome the crisis.

(With inputs from agencies)

The political crisis in Karnataka has reached the Supreme Court. The rebel MLAs, who have decided to quit the ruling Congress-JD(S) government, have moved the top court questioning the Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar's decision to reject their resignations.

The political crisis in Karnataka has reached the Supreme Court. The rebel MLAs, who have decided to quit the ruling Congress-JD(S) government, have moved the top court questioning the Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar's decision to reject their resignations. The court has agreed to hear their petition on Thursday. Kumar had rejected the resignations of eight of the 13 MLAs on Tuesday. "Out of 13 resignations, eight are not according to law. I've given them time to present themselves before me," he said on Tuesday. The Speaker also said that he received a petition from Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramiah seeking disqualification of the dissident MLAs. The 13-month-old Congress-JD(S) government slumped into crisis following the resignation of 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly last week. The strength of Karnataka Assembly is going to be reduced to 210 - the ruling coalition will have 104 members. With the bench strength of 105, the opposition BJP will be just one short of the majority mark. Congress leaders have repeatedly accused the BJP and the Central government of orchestrating the current crisis in the state, a charge the BJP has denied. The Congress-JD(S) coalition is making all efforts to protect its government which seems to have fallen short of a majority. All the ministers from the two parties have resigned paving way for the restructuring of the state Cabinet in a bid to accommodate the dissident MLAs. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has claimed that they will overcome the crisis. (With inputs from agencies)

Karnataka crisis: Rebel legislators knock Supreme Court's door

As the political situation gets precarious in the state, Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Tuesday said that he has written to the Governor Vajubhai Vala apprising him on the ongoing crisis in the state and asked the rebel MLAs to meet him. 
 
"Have written to Governor that none of the rebel MLAs have met me. He has expressed confidence that I'll uphold constitutional norms. Out of 13 resignations, 8 are not according to law. I've given them time to present themselves before me," he said. 
 
The Speaker also said he has received a petition from Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramiah seekig disqualification of the dissident MLAs. 
 
Earlier today, Congress leader Siddaramaiah had said that his party would seek the disqualification of the rebel legislators for their alleged anti-party activities.&nbsp;

After the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting, the party also urged Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to ban these MLAs, who have "colluded" with the BJP, from contesting elections for at least six years.

"The CLP has decided to submit a petition to the Speaker seeking disqualification of the members who are trying to resign from their membership. Not only to disqualify them, but they shall not be allowed to contest the election for the next six years," Siddaramaiah told reporters after the meeting.

Congress leaders have repeatedly accused the BJP and the Central government of orchestrating the current crisis in the state, a charge the BJP has denied. 
 
"The BJP doesn't want the Congress to be in power anywhere, be it in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan or Karnataka. They are conspiring to topple the government in Karnataka," alleged Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Monday.

However, BJP leaders have asserted that the Saffron Party has nothing to do with the ongoing crisis in Karnataka.

Responding to Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who accused the BJP of engineering defections to destabilise the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that his party does not believe in politics of horse-trading and is committed to parliamentary democracy.

Former chief minister and BJP's state unit president BS Yeddyurappa on Monday demanded the resignation of chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, saying the Congress-JD(S) government in the state has lost the majority.

The BJP has made it clear that if a new government is formed in the state, Yeddyurappa will become the chief minister.

Meanwhile, chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday claimed that the current crisis in the state will be resolved and the government will run smoothly. The Chief Minister's statement came after 21 state minister of the Congress stepped down from their positions. Similarly, all JD(S) ministers also resigned, paving way for the restructuring of the cabinet. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

As the political situation gets precarious in the state, Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Tuesday said that he has written to the Governor Vajubhai Vala apprising him on the ongoing crisis in the state and asked the rebel MLAs to meet him.

As the political situation gets precarious in the state, Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Tuesday said that he has written to the Governor Vajubhai Vala apprising him on the ongoing crisis in the state and asked the rebel MLAs to meet him. "Have written to Governor that none of the rebel MLAs have met me. He has expressed confidence that I'll uphold constitutional norms. Out of 13 resignations, 8 are not according to law. I've given them time to present themselves before me," he said. The Speaker also said he has received a petition from Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramiah seekig disqualification of the dissident MLAs. Earlier today, Congress leader Siddaramaiah had said that his party would seek the disqualification of the rebel legislators for their alleged anti-party activities. After the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting, the party also urged Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to ban these MLAs, who have "colluded" with the BJP, from contesting elections for at least six years. "The CLP has decided to submit a petition to the Speaker seeking disqualification of the members who are trying to resign from their membership. Not only to disqualify them, but they shall not be allowed to contest the election for the next six years," Siddaramaiah told reporters after the meeting. Congress leaders have repeatedly accused the BJP and the Central government of orchestrating the current crisis in the state, a charge the BJP has denied. "The BJP doesn't want the Congress to be in power anywhere, be it in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan or Karnataka. They are conspiring to topple the government in Karnataka," alleged Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Monday. However, BJP leaders have asserted that the Saffron Party has nothing to do with the ongoing crisis in Karnataka. Responding to Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury who accused the BJP of engineering defections to destabilise the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that his party does not believe in politics of horse-trading and is committed to parliamentary democracy. Former chief minister and BJP's state unit president BS Yeddyurappa on Monday demanded the resignation of chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, saying the Congress-JD(S) government in the state has lost the majority. The BJP has made it clear that if a new government is formed in the state, Yeddyurappa will become the chief minister. Meanwhile, chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday claimed that the current crisis in the state will be resolved and the government will run smoothly. The Chief Minister's statement came after 21 state minister of the Congress stepped down from their positions. Similarly, all JD(S) ministers also resigned, paving way for the restructuring of the cabinet. (With inputs from agencies)

Karnataka crisis: Assembly Speaker writes to Governor, summons rebel MLAs

After Monsoon showers in states like Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday predicted that districts in Uttarakhand are expected to receive <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/heavy-rainfall-expected-in-delhi-ncr-in-the-next-24-hours-india-meteorological-department-233890">heavy rainfall</a> from July 9 to July 13.

"<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/heavy-rainfall-in-mumbai-leads-to-water-logging-slow-traffic-233946">Heavy to very heavy rainfall</a> likely to occur at isolated places especially in Nainital, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Tehri Garhwal &amp; Dehradun Districts on July 9 and July 10, 2019," read a statement from the IMD.

IMD also issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Nainital, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Dehradun and Haridwar districts for July 11 to 13.

After Monsoon showers in states like Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday predicted that districts in Uttarakhand are expected to receive heavy rainfall from July 9 to July 13.

After Monsoon showers in states like Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday predicted that districts in Uttarakhand are expected to receive heavy rainfall from July 9 to July 13. "Heavy to very heavy rainfall likely to occur at isolated places especially in Nainital, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Tehri Garhwal & Dehradun Districts on July 9 and July 10, 2019," read a statement from the IMD. IMD also issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Nainital, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal, Dehradun and Haridwar districts for July 11 to 13.

India Meteorological Department predicts heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand

In a jolt to fragile Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress coalition in Karnataka, independent legislator Nagesh has withdrawn his support to the HD Kumaraswamy government. Nagesh was a serving minister in the state government. He skipped the meeting called at the house of deputy chief minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-in-talks-with-disgruntled-leaders-says-deputy-cm-parameshwara-amid-political-crisis-233764">G Parameshwara</a> and instead went to the Governor's House to submit his resignation.

Nagesh said in his resignation letter that he supports the BJP. Nagesh, the MLA from Mulbgal, was inducted into the state Cabinet in the June 12 expansion.

Nagesh's resignation, if accepted, is going to put further stress on the wafer-thin margin of the ruling coalition. The strength of Karnataka Assembly is going to be reduced to 210 - the ruling coalition will have 104 members. With the bench strength of 105, the opposition BJP will be just one short of the majority mark.

However, Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa has said that the party has nothing to do with the current crisis. "We (BJP) have nothing to do with the crisis in the coalition but it is a cause of concern for people of Karnataka," he said on Sunday.

Today's breakfast meeting has been called by the state government to try and placate the rebel MLAs by asking the sitting ministers to resign and giving the ministerial berths to those who have revolted against the government. Thirteen of the 22 Congress ministers are present in the meeting, and sources say all of them have been asked to resign.

Parameshwara has been the first one to offer resignation to save the coalition. "The party will take a decision. If the party says you have to resign I will resign," he said before the meeting.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has, meanwhile, blamed Siddaramaiah for te current crisis. "The Congress party is leaderless now and their internal party problems have spiralled out of their hands. We totally condemn the way our party leaders are being dragged into this matter. This act is not acceptable, the root cause of this crisis is Siddaramaiah," Joshi said.

The Congress-JD (S) government in Karnataka plunged into crisis on Saturday following the resignation of at least 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly. Later in the day, 10 Congress MLAs left for Mumbai where they are said to be lodged in a hotel. JD(S) MLA H Vishwanath claimed that 14 MLAs have jointly tendered resignations to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and requested him to accept them.

The Speaker, however, has not yet accepted the resignations.

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who was in the USA, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-crisis-kumaraswamy-reaches-bengaluru-will-hold-meet-with-jds-congress-leaders-233825">reached Bengaluru on Sunday</a> and immediately took stock of the situation. He is involved in a series of meetings to defuse the crisis.

In a jolt to fragile Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress coalition in Karnataka, independent legislator Nagesh has withdrawn his support to the HD Kumaraswamy government.

In a jolt to fragile Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress coalition in Karnataka, independent legislator Nagesh has withdrawn his support to the HD Kumaraswamy government. Nagesh was a serving minister in the state government. He skipped the meeting called at the house of deputy chief minister G Parameshwara and instead went to the Governor's House to submit his resignation. Nagesh said in his resignation letter that he supports the BJP. Nagesh, the MLA from Mulbgal, was inducted into the state Cabinet in the June 12 expansion. Nagesh's resignation, if accepted, is going to put further stress on the wafer-thin margin of the ruling coalition. The strength of Karnataka Assembly is going to be reduced to 210 - the ruling coalition will have 104 members. With the bench strength of 105, the opposition BJP will be just one short of the majority mark. However, Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa has said that the party has nothing to do with the current crisis. "We (BJP) have nothing to do with the crisis in the coalition but it is a cause of concern for people of Karnataka," he said on Sunday. Today's breakfast meeting has been called by the state government to try and placate the rebel MLAs by asking the sitting ministers to resign and giving the ministerial berths to those who have revolted against the government. Thirteen of the 22 Congress ministers are present in the meeting, and sources say all of them have been asked to resign. Parameshwara has been the first one to offer resignation to save the coalition. "The party will take a decision. If the party says you have to resign I will resign," he said before the meeting. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has, meanwhile, blamed Siddaramaiah for te current crisis. "The Congress party is leaderless now and their internal party problems have spiralled out of their hands. We totally condemn the way our party leaders are being dragged into this matter. This act is not acceptable, the root cause of this crisis is Siddaramaiah," Joshi said. The Congress-JD (S) government in Karnataka plunged into crisis on Saturday following the resignation of at least 11 MLAs from the membership of the state Assembly. Later in the day, 10 Congress MLAs left for Mumbai where they are said to be lodged in a hotel. JD(S) MLA H Vishwanath claimed that 14 MLAs have jointly tendered resignations to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar and requested him to accept them. The Speaker, however, has not yet accepted the resignations. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who was in the USA, reached Bengaluru on Sunday and immediately took stock of the situation. He is involved in a series of meetings to defuse the crisis.

Kumaraswamy government inching towards minority as another legislator pulls support

Crisis in Congress-JDS coalition government after MLAs resign

Karnataka Government facing Crisis

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