Karnataka crisis: Even as rebels welcome SC order, DK Shivakumar says 'BJP misguiding that whip is not valid'
Speaking on Speaker's pending decision to decide on the resignation or disqualification of the rebel MLAs, the Supreme Court permitted the Speaker to decide within such time-frame as deemed appropriate by him.
Karnataka crisis: A day before Kumaraswamy's trust vote, Supreme Court on Wednesday directed that 15 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs — who have been issued a whip to attend the assembly — cannot be compelled to take part in the House proceedings.
Speaking on Speaker's pending decision to decide on the resignation or disqualification of the rebel MLAs, the Supreme Court permitted the Speaker to decide within such time frame as deemed appropriate by him.
Discretion of Karnataka Speaker in deciding resignation should not be fettered by direction or observations of court, the Supreme Court said. However, the court directed that the Speaker's decision on resignation of rebel MLAs must be placed before it as and when it is decided.
Giving his reaction on SC's decision, Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar welcomed it and said, "I will take a decision that in no way will go contrary to the Constitution, the Court and the Lokpal."
"SC has said two important things —15 MLAs will not be compelled to attend the House tomorrow and are given the liberty that they may or may not go to the House tomorrow," said Mukul Rohatgi, who is representing Karnataka rebel MLAs in the Supreme Court in view of trust vote which is scheduled to take place tomorrow (Thursday).
Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa said, "tomorrow chief minister Kumaraswamy is going to move the confidence motion, he will lose the mandate, let us see what will happen."
(With inputs from PTI)