<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karnataka-congress-jds-shift-mlas-from-bengaluru-to-avoid-horse-trading-137827">Karnataka: Congress, JD(S) shift MLAs from Bengaluru 'to avoid horse trading'</a>

To avoid any attempt of horse trading by the Bhartiya Janata Party the Congress and JD(S) were shifting their MLAs from Bengaluru to Hyderabad, JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy said.&nbsp;

He said, "We have to take some caution. To stop horse-trading, they(MLAs) are moving together. All MLAs (JD(S) and Congress) are travelling on the bus, they are going to stay in the same place".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-invitation-to-yeddyurappa-to-be-chief-minister-137831">Supreme Court to hear </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-invitation-to-yeddyurappa-to-be-chief-minister-137831">plea</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-to-hear-plea-challenging-invitation-to-yeddyurappa-to-be-chief-minister-137831"> challenging invitation to Yeddyurappa to be chief minister</a>

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa faces his first big test in the Supreme Court today. The top court will resume hearing a petition challenging Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's invitation to Yeddyurappa to become chief minister.

In the May 12 polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members, while Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three.

The BJP insists it should stake claim to form the government by virtue of being the single largest party while the Congress, which has struck a post-poll alliance with the JD(S), says they have 116 seats, four more than the half-way mark.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-and-kashmir-1-bsf-soldier-killed-in-ceasefire-violation-by-pakistan-137822">Jammu and Kashmir: 1 BSF soldier killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan</a>

A soldier from the Border Security Force lost his life in a ceasefire violation after the Pakistani troops opened fire in the RS Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

The soldier killed in the violation hailed from Jharkhand and is survived by a three-year-old daughter and one-year-old son.&nbsp;

The ceasefire violation across the international border also led to injuries of two civilians and one soldier.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-seeks-to-placate-north-koreas-kim-over-uncertain-summit-137825">Trump seeks to placate North Korea's Kim over </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-seeks-to-placate-north-koreas-kim-over-uncertain-summit-137825">uncertain</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-seeks-to-placate-north-koreas-kim-over-uncertain-summit-137825"> summit</a>

US President Donald Trump sought on Thursday to placate North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un after Pyongyang threatened to scrap an unprecedented summit, saying Kim`s security would be guaranteed in any deal and his country would not suffer the fate of Muammar Gaddafi`s Libya, unless that could not be reached.

In rambling remarks in the White House`s Oval Office in which he also sharply criticized China over trade, Trump said that as far as he knew the meeting with Kim was still on track, but that the North Korean leader was possibly being influenced by Beijing after two recent visits he made there.&nbsp;

Trump distanced himself from comments by his national security adviser John Bolton that North Korea angrily denounced when casting doubt on the summit, which is planned for June 12 in Singapore.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-panchayat-polls-tmc-races-ahead-bjp-main-rival-137829">West Bengal panchayat polls: TMC races ahead, BJP main rival</a>

The ruling Trinamool Congress is headed for a massive victory in West Bengal's rural polls, bagging 20,848 seats in the three-tier polls, while the BJP emerged as its main rival, according to the results declared till 1 am.

State Election Commission (SEC) sources said the TMC was ahead in another 148 gram panchayat seats for which counting was in progress.

The BJP has won 5,636 seats and is leading in 21 seats, they said.

 
&nbsp;

Karnataka: Congress, JD(S) shift MLAs from Bengaluru 'to avoid horse trading' To avoid any attempt of horse trading by the Bhartiya Janata Party the Congress and JD(S) were shifting their MLAs from Bengaluru to Hyderabad, JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy said. He said, "We have to take some caution. To stop horse-trading, they(MLAs) are moving together. All MLAs (JD(S) and Congress) are travelling on the bus, they are going to stay in the same place". Supreme Court to hear plea challenging invitation to Yeddyurappa to be chief minister Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa faces his first big test in the Supreme Court today. The top court will resume hearing a petition challenging Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's invitation to Yeddyurappa to become chief minister. In the May 12 polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members, while Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three. The BJP insists it should stake claim to form the government by virtue of being the single largest party while the Congress, which has struck a post-poll alliance with the JD(S), says they have 116 seats, four more than the half-way mark. Jammu and Kashmir: 1 BSF soldier killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan A soldier from the Border Security Force lost his life in a ceasefire violation after the Pakistani troops opened fire in the RS Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. The soldier killed in the violation hailed from Jharkhand and is survived by a three-year-old daughter and one-year-old son. The ceasefire violation across the international border also led to injuries of two civilians and one soldier. Trump seeks to placate North Korea's Kim over uncertain summit US President Donald Trump sought on Thursday to placate North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un after Pyongyang threatened to scrap an unprecedented summit, saying Kim`s security would be guaranteed in any deal and his country would not suffer the fate of Muammar Gaddafi`s Libya, unless that could not be reached. In rambling remarks in the White House`s Oval Office in which he also sharply criticized China over trade, Trump said that as far as he knew the meeting with Kim was still on track, but that the North Korean leader was possibly being influenced by Beijing after two recent visits he made there. Trump distanced himself from comments by his national security adviser John Bolton that North Korea angrily denounced when casting doubt on the summit, which is planned for June 12 in Singapore. West Bengal panchayat polls: TMC races ahead, BJP main rival The ruling Trinamool Congress is headed for a massive victory in West Bengal's rural polls, bagging 20,848 seats in the three-tier polls, while the BJP emerged as its main rival, according to the results declared till 1 am. State Election Commission (SEC) sources said the TMC was ahead in another 148 gram panchayat seats for which counting was in progress. The BJP has won 5,636 seats and is leading in 21 seats, they said.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Congress president Rahul Gandhi said today that the floor test ordered by the Supreme Court in the Karnataka assembly vindicated his party's stand that Governor Vajubhai Vala's invitation to BS Yeddyurappa to become chief minister was unconstitutional.

The Congress president wrote on Twitter that the top court had called the BJP government's bluff that it would form the government in the state even without the numbers. He also alleged that stopped legally, the BJP would now try "money and muscle to steal the mandate".

"Today’s Supreme Court order&nbspvindicates our stand that Governor Vala acted unconstitutionally. The BJP’s bluff that it will form the government, even without the numbers, has been called out by the court. Stopped legally, they will now try money & muscle, to steal the mandate," tweeted Rahul Gandhi.

The Supreme Court today asked the Yeddyurappa-led BJP government to conduct a floor test on Saturday to prove their majority in the Karnataka assembly.

The top court was hearing a petition challenging Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's invitation to BS Yeddyurappa to become chief minister.

In the May 12 polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members, while Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three.

The BJP insists it should stake claim to form the government by virtue of being the single largest party while the Congress, which has struck a post-poll alliance with the JD(S), says they have more seats, four more than the half-way mark.&nbsp 
&nbsp

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Today’s Supreme Court order, vindicates our stand that Governor Vala acted unconstitutionally. 
 
The BJP’s bluff that it will form the Govt., even without the numbers, has been called out by the court. 
 
Stopped legally, they will now try money & muscle, to steal the mandate.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/997369301198925824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp

The Congress president wrote on Twitter that the top court had called the BJP government's bluff that it would form the government in the state even without the numbers

Congress president Rahul Gandhi said today that the floor test ordered by the Supreme Court in the Karnataka assembly vindicated his party's stand that Governor Vajubhai Vala's invitation to BS Yeddyurappa to become chief minister was unconstitutional. The Congress president wrote on Twitter that the top court had called the BJP government's bluff that it would form the government in the state even without the numbers. He also alleged that stopped legally, the BJP would now try "money and muscle to steal the mandate". "Today’s Supreme Court order&nbspvindicates our stand that Governor Vala acted unconstitutionally. The BJP’s bluff that it will form the government, even without the numbers, has been called out by the court. Stopped legally, they will now try money & muscle, to steal the mandate," tweeted Rahul Gandhi. The Supreme Court today asked the Yeddyurappa-led BJP government to conduct a floor test on Saturday to prove their majority in the Karnataka assembly. The top court was hearing a petition challenging Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's invitation to BS Yeddyurappa to become chief minister. In the May 12 polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members, while Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three. The BJP insists it should stake claim to form the government by virtue of being the single largest party while the Congress, which has struck a post-poll alliance with the JD(S), says they have more seats, four more than the half-way mark. Today’s Supreme Court order, vindicates our stand that Governor Vala acted unconstitutionally. The BJP’s bluff that it will form the Govt., even without the numbers, has been called out by the court. Stopped legally, they will now try money & muscle, to steal the mandate. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 18, 2018 ×

Supreme Court order vindicates stand that Governor acted unconstitutionally: Rahul Gandhi

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-stay-yeddyurappas-swearing-in-ceremony-137537">In </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-stay-yeddyurappas-swearing-in-ceremony-137537">late-night</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-refuses-to-stay-yeddyurappas-swearing-in-ceremony-137537"> hearing, Supreme Court refuses to stay Yeddyurappa's swearing-in ceremony</a>

The Supreme Court today refused to stay BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa's swearing-in as Karnataka Chief Minister after a rare pre-dawn hearing which saw the Congress-JD (S) combine making a last-ditch attempt to stall the saffron party's surge in the southern state.

The top court, which commenced the hearing at 2.11 am and ended at 5.28 am, however made it clear that the swearing-in and the government formation in the state would be subject to the final outcome of the case before it.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-natak-in-karnataka-continues-both-sides-to-meet-governor-mlas-report-poaching-attempts-137278">Live: Yeddyurappa&nbsp;sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister&nbsp;</a>

The BJP's BS Yeddyurappa was sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister today

Yeddyurappa took oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka after the Supreme Court early today morning decided not to put a stay on the swearing-in while conducting a post-midnight hearing.

Yeddyurappa, who succeeds Siddaramaiah, took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka at 9.00 am at the Raj Bhavan.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545">Trump discloses payment to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545">attorney</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545"> who paid off </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545">porn</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-discloses-payment-to-attorney-who-paid-off-stormy-daniels-137545"> star</a>

President Donald Trump has formally disclosed that he reimbursed his personal attorney more than $100,000 last year, apparently in connection with the payment of hush money to a porn star, government records show.

The disclosure caps a series of contradictory statements from Trump and his representatives on the scandal swirling around lawyer Michael Cohen -- which has widened to ensnare major corporations and a Russian oligarch.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/north-korea-pledges-not-to-create-security-concerns-for-india-137548">North Korea pledges not to create security concerns for India</a>

Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs General VK Singh (retired) became the first Indian minister to visit North Korea in 20 years as the latter pledged not to ever create concerns for India's security.

The MoS highlighted the threat posed to India from nuclear proliferation. In response to that, North Korea emphasised that being a friendly country, it will never allow any actions that would create concerns for India's security.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-again-defers-decision-on-justice-josephs-elevation-to-supreme-court-137556">Collegium again defers </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-again-defers-decision-on-justice-josephs-elevation-to-supreme-court-137556">decision</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/collegium-again-defers-decision-on-justice-josephs-elevation-to-supreme-court-137556"> on Justice Joseph's elevation to Supreme Court</a>

The Supreme Court Collegium Wednesday again deferred its decision on the issue of recommending Uttarakhand Chief Justice KM Joseph for elevation to the top court after it was returned by the Centre. An apex court official said that no decision has been taken as to when the recommendation will be sent to the Centre.

The Collegium comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and four senior-most judges — justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, M B Lokur and Kurian Joseph — deliberated for more than an hour.

Official details on the outcome of the meeting were awaited. This was the Collegium's second meeting in five days.

In late-night hearing, Supreme Court refuses to stay Yeddyurappa's swearing-in ceremony The Supreme Court today refused to stay BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa's swearing-in as Karnataka Chief Minister after a rare pre-dawn hearing which saw the Congress-JD (S) combine making a last-ditch attempt to stall the saffron party's surge in the southern state. The top court, which commenced the hearing at 2.11 am and ended at 5.28 am, however made it clear that the swearing-in and the government formation in the state would be subject to the final outcome of the case before it. Live: Yeddyurappa sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister The BJP's BS Yeddyurappa was sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister today Yeddyurappa took oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka after the Supreme Court early today morning decided not to put a stay on the swearing-in while conducting a post-midnight hearing. Yeddyurappa, who succeeds Siddaramaiah, took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka at 9.00 am at the Raj Bhavan. Trump discloses payment to attorney who paid off porn star President Donald Trump has formally disclosed that he reimbursed his personal attorney more than $100,000 last year, apparently in connection with the payment of hush money to a porn star, government records show. The disclosure caps a series of contradictory statements from Trump and his representatives on the scandal swirling around lawyer Michael Cohen -- which has widened to ensnare major corporations and a Russian oligarch. North Korea pledges not to create security concerns for India Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs General VK Singh (retired) became the first Indian minister to visit North Korea in 20 years as the latter pledged not to ever create concerns for India's security. The MoS highlighted the threat posed to India from nuclear proliferation. In response to that, North Korea emphasised that being a friendly country, it will never allow any actions that would create concerns for India's security. Collegium again defers decision on Justice Joseph's elevation to Supreme Court The Supreme Court Collegium Wednesday again deferred its decision on the issue of recommending Uttarakhand Chief Justice KM Joseph for elevation to the top court after it was returned by the Centre. An apex court official said that no decision has been taken as to when the recommendation will be sent to the Centre. The Collegium comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and four senior-most judges — justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, M B Lokur and Kurian Joseph — deliberated for more than an hour. Official details on the outcome of the meeting were awaited. This was the Collegium's second meeting in five days.

The Supreme Court today refused to stay BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa's swearing-in as Karnataka Chief Minister after a rare pre-dawn hearing which saw the Congress-JD (S) combine making a last-ditch attempt to stall the saffron party's surge in the southern state.

The top court, which commenced the hearing at 2.11 am and ended at 5.28 am, however made it clear that the swearing-in and the government formation in the state would be subject to the final outcome of the case before it.

A special bench comprising Justices AK Sikri, SA Bobde and Ashok Bhushan directed the Centre to place before it two communications, sent by Yeddyurappa to Governor Vajubhai Vala in which he had staked claim to form the government, saying their perusal was necessary to decide the case.

The top court also issued notices to Karnataka government and Yeddyurappa seeking their replies on the plea filed by Congress-JD (S) combine and posted the matter for hearing tomorrow.

"This Court is not passing any order staying the oath taking ceremony of BS Yeddyurappa. In case, he is given oath in the meantime, that shall be subject to further orders of this court and final outcome of the writ petition," the bench said. 
 
While senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Congress-JD (S) combine, persisted with his arguments that the swearing-in ceremony should be stayed or deferred, the bench said, "we are not staying the oath taking ceremony".

Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, and senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing three BJP MLAs Govind M Karjol, CM Udasi and Basavaraj Bommai, opposed the arguments to defer or stay the swearing-in ceremony, which was scheduled yesterday for today morning.

"We do not know what transpired in the meeting between the BJP leader (Yeddyurappa) and the Governor. I do not think BS Yeddyurappa is served or represented here. The whole thing is in a grey area and in a realm of speculation," Venugopal said.

Rohatgi also questioned the manner in which the petition was filed in the midnight and said, "Heavens will not fall if somebody is sworn-in. This is not a matter of life or death or as if someone is going to be hanged".

He said that constitutional obligation of the Governor was to invite a party to form a new government and his action could always be judicially reviewed and the court may order for restoration of status-quo ante also as was done in the case of Arunachal Pradesh.

"Courts should not stop a constitutional functionary (Governor) from discharging his constitutional duty. In this country, action will be amenable but office of the Governor cannot be injuncted," Rohatgi said.

At the outset, Singhvi referred to the number of seats won by the BJP, Congress and JD (S) and said the Congress-JD (S) combine has the majority in the house with 117 MLAs while the BJP had only 104 seats which was below the majority mark of 112 at present.

He also questioned the Governor's decision to give 15 days time to Yeddyurppa to prove majority in the house and claimed that this might lead to "horse trading" and "poaching" of MLAs.

Singhvi said that they were not sure how much time Yeddyurppa himself had sought from the Governor to prove the majority but as per their information, the BJP leader had sought seven days time.

He urged the court to defer the swearing-in, scheduled to be held at 9.30 am today, till 4.30 pm and said the Centre or BJP should be asked to place before the bench the letters sent by Yeddyurppa to the Governor.

However, the Attorney General told the bench, "We really do not know what was the basis of which the Governor invited him (Yeddyurppa)".

He said that swearing-in should not be deferred or stayed as it was for a constitutional office and no purpose would be served by stopping it since it was "purely a reversable situation".

"Let this matter be heard. Let floor test take place. No irreversible damage will be done," Venugopal said.

"Here, there are three major parties. BJP is the single largest party, Congress is second and JD (S) is third. Now, the Congress-JD (S) combine outweigh the BJP. Then, in this situation, on what basis he (Yeddyurppa) has staked claim to form the government? We do not have those letters. It's only on surmises. The arithmetic is such that defies on what basis it was done," the bench observed.

To this, Venugopal raised a doubt on the authenticity of the signatures of MLAs submitted by Congress-JD (S) combine leader HD Kumaraswamy and said, "They may have given signed letter which may not be genuine".

Singhvi, while contending that "humongous things are happening in terms of money", expressed gratitude that three judges of the apex court were hearing the matter at 2 am.

"If a Governor passes an order (inviting Yeddyurppa to form government) at 9.30 pm and the oath taking ceremony is at 9.30 am, I have no option but to make your night black. I am extremely grateful that three judges of the Supreme Court are sitting in the court at 2 am to hear the matter. It is a victory of democracy irrespective of what is the outcome. The democracy has won," he told the bench.

Meanwhile, senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani mentioned before the Chief Justice of India bench of Dipak Misra, justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud his application for urgent hearing against the Karnataka Governor for inviting BS Yeddyurappa for making government. The bench directed him to mention it tomorrow before an appropriate bench.

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Sr lawyer Ram Jethmalani mentioned before CJI Bench of Dipak Misra, justices AM Khanwilkar&DY Chandrachud his application for urgent hearing against Karnataka Guv for inviting BS Yedurappa for making govt. The Bench directed him to mention it tomorrow before an appropriate bench. <a href="https://t.co/DGANrJ3jvu">pic.twitter.com/DGANrJ3jvu</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/996995761266200576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

In the May 12 polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members, while Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three.

The court heard the plea in a marathon session from 2.11 am to 5.28 am Thursday morning. It did not stay the swearing in but made very clear that it was subject to the final outcome of the hearing

The Supreme Court today refused to stay BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa's swearing-in as Karnataka Chief Minister after a rare pre-dawn hearing which saw the Congress-JD (S) combine making a last-ditch attempt to stall the saffron party's surge in the southern state. The top court, which commenced the hearing at 2.11 am and ended at 5.28 am, however made it clear that the swearing-in and the government formation in the state would be subject to the final outcome of the case before it. A special bench comprising Justices AK Sikri, SA Bobde and Ashok Bhushan directed the Centre to place before it two communications, sent by Yeddyurappa to Governor Vajubhai Vala in which he had staked claim to form the government, saying their perusal was necessary to decide the case. The top court also issued notices to Karnataka government and Yeddyurappa seeking their replies on the plea filed by Congress-JD (S) combine and posted the matter for hearing tomorrow. "This Court is not passing any order staying the oath taking ceremony of BS Yeddyurappa. In case, he is given oath in the meantime, that shall be subject to further orders of this court and final outcome of the writ petition," the bench said. While senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Congress-JD (S) combine, persisted with his arguments that the swearing-in ceremony should be stayed or deferred, the bench said, "we are not staying the oath taking ceremony". Attorney General KK Venugopal, appearing for the Centre, and senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing three BJP MLAs Govind M Karjol, CM Udasi and Basavaraj Bommai, opposed the arguments to defer or stay the swearing-in ceremony, which was scheduled yesterday for today morning. "We do not know what transpired in the meeting between the BJP leader (Yeddyurappa) and the Governor. I do not think BS Yeddyurappa is served or represented here. The whole thing is in a grey area and in a realm of speculation," Venugopal said. Rohatgi also questioned the manner in which the petition was filed in the midnight and said, "Heavens will not fall if somebody is sworn-in. This is not a matter of life or death or as if someone is going to be hanged". He said that constitutional obligation of the Governor was to invite a party to form a new government and his action could always be judicially reviewed and the court may order for restoration of status-quo ante also as was done in the case of Arunachal Pradesh. "Courts should not stop a constitutional functionary (Governor) from discharging his constitutional duty. In this country, action will be amenable but office of the Governor cannot be injuncted," Rohatgi said. At the outset, Singhvi referred to the number of seats won by the BJP, Congress and JD (S) and said the Congress-JD (S) combine has the majority in the house with 117 MLAs while the BJP had only 104 seats which was below the majority mark of 112 at present. He also questioned the Governor's decision to give 15 days time to Yeddyurppa to prove majority in the house and claimed that this might lead to "horse trading" and "poaching" of MLAs. Singhvi said that they were not sure how much time Yeddyurppa himself had sought from the Governor to prove the majority but as per their information, the BJP leader had sought seven days time. He urged the court to defer the swearing-in, scheduled to be held at 9.30 am today, till 4.30 pm and said the Centre or BJP should be asked to place before the bench the letters sent by Yeddyurppa to the Governor. However, the Attorney General told the bench, "We really do not know what was the basis of which the Governor invited him (Yeddyurppa)". He said that swearing-in should not be deferred or stayed as it was for a constitutional office and no purpose would be served by stopping it since it was "purely a reversable situation". "Let this matter be heard. Let floor test take place. No irreversible damage will be done," Venugopal said. "Here, there are three major parties. BJP is the single largest party, Congress is second and JD (S) is third. Now, the Congress-JD (S) combine outweigh the BJP. Then, in this situation, on what basis he (Yeddyurppa) has staked claim to form the government? We do not have those letters. It's only on surmises. The arithmetic is such that defies on what basis it was done," the bench observed. To this, Venugopal raised a doubt on the authenticity of the signatures of MLAs submitted by Congress-JD (S) combine leader HD Kumaraswamy and said, "They may have given signed letter which may not be genuine". Singhvi, while contending that "humongous things are happening in terms of money", expressed gratitude that three judges of the apex court were hearing the matter at 2 am. "If a Governor passes an order (inviting Yeddyurppa to form government) at 9.30 pm and the oath taking ceremony is at 9.30 am, I have no option but to make your night black. I am extremely grateful that three judges of the Supreme Court are sitting in the court at 2 am to hear the matter. It is a victory of democracy irrespective of what is the outcome. The democracy has won," he told the bench. Meanwhile, senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani mentioned before the Chief Justice of India bench of Dipak Misra, justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud his application for urgent hearing against the Karnataka Governor for inviting BS Yeddyurappa for making government. The bench directed him to mention it tomorrow before an appropriate bench. Sr lawyer Ram Jethmalani mentioned before CJI Bench of Dipak Misra, justices AM Khanwilkar&DY Chandrachud his application for urgent hearing against Karnataka Guv for inviting BS Yedurappa for making govt. The Bench directed him to mention it tomorrow before an appropriate bench. pic.twitter.com/DGANrJ3jvu — ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2018 × In the May 12 polls, the BJP emerged as the single largest party with 104 members, while Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three.

Congress plea against Yeddyurappa swearing in: Next hearing in SC tomorrow