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Karnataka high court order prevents governor-Yeddyurappa row

A division bench of the high court of Karnataka refused to stay the disqualification of 11 dissident MLAs from the BJP, while reserving its judgement in the similar case of five independent lawmakers.

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A division bench of the high court of Karnataka on Tuesday refused to stay the disqualification of 11 dissident MLAs from the BJP, while reserving its judgement in the similar case of five independent lawmakers.

After hearing the arguments of the independent MLAs and chief minister, the bench, comprising chief justice JS Khehar and justice N Kumar, adjourned the case to October 18, after the court would reopen following the on-going Dussehra holidays.

PP Rao, representing the MLAs, requested the court for an interim order till October 14, the deadline governor HR Bhardwaj had set for the chief minister to prove his majority on the floor of the house.

The bench, however, reserved its judgement, observing that the interim order should protect the interests of both the parties.

By adjourning the case on the disqualification of MLAs till Monday, Karnataka high court has given Yeddyurappa a chance to avert a confrontation with governor HR Bhardwaj. The adjournment of the case made the two sides adopt conciliatory tones and Yeddyurappa accepted the governor’s offer for a second vote of confidence on Thursday.

The high court decision also made the Union cabinet defer a discussion on the political crisis, even though the home ministry had prepared a note based on the governor’s inputs that was to be discussed at the meeting.

Clearly, BJP has won round one of the political tussle, more so since the Centre has not acted on the governor’s report recommending president’s rule. But, the party has started demanding that Bhardwaj be withdrawn.

The BJP blamed Bhardwaj for “encouraging defections”. “The governor’s letter to the assembly speaker amounted to asking the latter not to take any action against the rebel MLAs under the anti-defection law,” a source in the party said.

The BJP high command had been preparing a strategy to save the government but the court verdict provided it breather. This is probably the reason it put on hold a plan to parade BJP MLAs before Pratibha Patil.
 — With inputs from Odeal D’Souza in Bangalore

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