No trust vote in Karnataka Assembly: Governor asks Kumaraswamy to prove majority by 1:30 pm Friday
Karnataka Assembly adjourned for the day.
The Karnataka assembly was adjourned till Friday morning amid acrimony during the debate on the motion of confidence moved by chief minister H D Kumaraswamy to decide the fate of his 14-month-old government.
The House was adjourned by Deputy Speaker Krishna Reddy as the Congress members persistently shouted slogans against the BJP as the proceedings wore on with Kumaraswamy yet to make his speech on the motion.
Before the House was adjourned, BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa declared that his party members would stay put in the House itself overnight and even till the time the trust vote was decided.
"We will stay until the trust vote is decided," Yeddyurappa declared.
He said the confidence motion was not even discussed properly for 15 minutes and other issues were brought in by the ruling coalition members to delay the trust vote.
"There has been a breach of constitutional framework," he said, adding that it was unparalleled.
"To protest against this, we will sleep here itself," Yeddyurappa said.
Kumaraswamy government which was rocked by series of resignations was seeking a trust vote in the Assembly. The BJP was confident that the JD(S)-Congress government would not be able to prove its majority in the assembly even as the debate continued over the Supreme Court verdict allowing rebel MLAs to skip the proceedings.
The bone of contention was whether the whip given by the parties can be enforced or not. On a point of order, raised by Congress Legislative Party head Siddaramaiah, Speaker said that he was free to act as per his role, indicating that he would allow whips to be operational. He also said that those skipping proceedings should give adequate reason why they are not present despite whip given by their party. However, Siddaramaiah said that till clarification about SC order doesn't come, it will be wrong to go for a floor test. Now, Congress is mulling on moving to Supreme Court to get clarity on this issue. They want to know if enforcing whip would be violating Supreme Court order.
Also Read: 20 MLAs likely to not vote
The SC had given reprieve to the 15 rebel MLAs of JD(S) and Congress, saying that they don't need to be present in the trust vote. The 15 rebels decided to stay back in Mumbai.
SC has said that Speaker can't be compelled to take decision on resignations in a time bound manner and gave it the right to take the final call. Speaker has said that he would uphold the Constitution and Court's order. Speaker has virtually indicated that whips issued will be operational, which makes things much dicier and complex.
Even with Ramalinga Reddy coming back to Congress fold, the numbers are stacked against the JD(S)-Congress government.
Live updates:
* BJP MLA Prabhu Chavan arrives at Vidhana Soudha with bed sheet & pillow. BJP legislators are on an over night 'dharna' (at Assembly), demanding floor test.
* DK Shivakumar, Congress: Today on floor of the house, MLA Madhu Swamy (BJP) said 'the same Supreme Court which helped you to sit there is helping us' it means whatever judgement came out of SC, he has categorically misused it. We respect SC, they're not helping anyone.
* Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala writes a letter to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, asking him to prove majority of the Government on the floor of the house by 1:30 pm tomorrow
* Shrimanth Patil: I'm not well and hence in hospital. Nobody Kidnapped me. I will return to Bengaluru only once get well.
* Congress files a complaint with police commissioner Bengaluru, alleging abduction of its MLA Srimant Patil.
* BJP MLAs to sit on an overnight '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.
*Amidst BJP threatening to stage an all-nighter in the house, Deputy Speaker adjourns the house till 11 am tomorrow
* JC Madhuswamy (BJP): when Yeddyurappa was made to prove majority within 24 hours where were these people then? They approached the SC not us. The same SC that helped you is helping us.
* Dinesh Gundu Rao (Congress): Siddaramaiah has raised a point of order. Since our rights are infringed upon he has raised this. This is a very important matter, it even concerns you because it is about the Legislature party's rights. Tomorrow this might affect you as well. It has implications on whether whip will apply. Hence there is no need to hurry on this
This is the first time the whip was questioned and a clear decision has to be taken on this either here or in the Supreme Court. It is only an interim order. Even Speaker's right is infringed upon. SC says you can act in any manner, but if someone violates the whip and we complain to you, the SC has said the MLAs cannot be compelled to attend, so how will you act against them? Hence we must discuss these matters in detail.
Our MLA has been kidnapped. We must not kill democracy here.
* Suresh Kumar (BJP): Byre Gowda is right that such matters cannot be discussed in a hurry. But on Friday the chief minister voluntarily said he wants to move confidence motion. It was decided to be moved today. If this is a hurry how are files being moved in a hurry
Congress objects to Governor's 'direction' to Speaker, says this amounts to interference in house proceedings
* HK Patil (Congress): Governor might not have sent direction, it might be wrongly sent message but this amounts to interference of this house. The governor shall not interfere in the proceedings of this house. We've seen that the Governor's representative is present here, we welcome the person, but we should have come to know of this.
* Speaker: Nothing wrong in approaching Governor. It's not that Governor called them and gave them directions. They approached Guv and he responded.
* Krishna Byre Gowda: Instead of staying in the house, the BJP is getting directions from various corners
* Jagdish Shettar: The ruling party is trying to delay and push the debate for three days. Let it happen today itself
* Byre Gowda: this is not a matter that can be decided in a hurry. It must have sanctity and shouldn't be questioned, this is why it should be discussed.
* Yeddyurapaa: Give time to whoever you want. Let the discussion be till midnight. Give opportunity to everything in the coalition. But, complete the vote of confidence by the end of the day.
* Krishna Byre Gowda: The governor has sent a message and you've read it out. We've taken up the confidence vote and there are some legal aspects we've raised. The motion is already under consideration. The confidence vote that will decide the future of the house. It is the right and privilege of the members of the House to discuss this
* Regarding 175 (2) the Speaker is given the discretion. However, as you have to uphold the rights of the members of the House. You've already received a list of speakers on the motion. If I'm not given an opportunity then what is the point of being a member. Hence, we appeal to you that the proceedings are underway, and in the middle MLAs are going missing... They say we should have done a better job of securing the MLA, but does that give them the right to steal?: Deshpande
* RV Deshpande (Congress): The Constitution does not provide for this. Article 175 (1) and (2) is limited to bills pending. The debate is going on and it has to be healthy.
* Speaker: Governor has sent a message. Will read it out to the house - "Dear honourable speaker, the motion of confidence moved is in consideration at the house. CM is expected to maintain confidence of the house at all times. I send a message to consider trust vote by the end of the day."
BJP petitions Governor over delay in voting on trust motion
Jagadish Shettar after meeting Governor: We have submitted a memorandum to the Governor. We have requested the Governor to direct the Speaker to go ahead with trust vote not to talk over other issues. Why did Siddaramaiah, Krishna Byre Gowda and other started debate on point of order which was not a part of the business.
* House adjourned for 30 mins
Uproar in Karnataka assembly over Congress MLA Shrimant Patil's health. Speaker directs Home Minister to submit a report
Siddaramaiah's point of order:
Congress Legislative Party chief Siddaramaih says, "SC hasn't said anything about the whip. It has made it clear that until further orders, 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. SC order is curtailing my right under 10th schedule of the constitution".
He further said, "This applies to other political parties also. This is my point of orderWithout even making me a party, SC has given this order
Speaker said, " Let me make it abundantly clear that this office is not restraining you (CLP leader) from acting as per your role.
* Speaker Ramesh Kumar lays down the rule:
When a member chooses not to come, our attendants will not permit them to sign the register of attendance. The concerned member will not be entitled to draw any emolument that is meant for the member to be drawn for being present in the House.This House holds Supreme Court in highest esteem. Let me make it clear to leader of Congress Legislature Party that this Office is not restraining you from exercising any of your authorities. I've no role to play in that.If you intend to implead yourself as one of the respondents before the Supreme Court for amending this you are at liberty to do so.
* BJP has demanded for time bound discussion but currently there is no indication that their demand will be accepted.
*Kumaraswamy speech:
Karnataka CM says, "We have not yet discussed the reasons for which we have to face the trust vote.I will not speak about the court order but they have even raised doubts about youThe MLAs have given single line resignations. In the SC they have said that the government has been rocked by scandals. The IMA scandal, the JSW land scam. In the Lok Sabha despite the coalition government contesting together they lost miserably"
Kumaraswamy says, "I have self respect and so do my ministers. How can I live with this and not discuss this? I have to make clarifications. Who is responsible for destabilising this government?The prime minister has said in the past that the country needs a strong government not a mahagathbandhan. They have not spoken about the work we've done about the floods in Kodagu last year and in addressing the drought. The opposition leader has said we have failed then should we not discuss these matters?"
The Vidhan Soudha is in the pages of Parliamentary history for its conduct. It is not important if the coalition survives, but we must discuss this conspiracy to weaken democracy.
* The rebel MLAs have made it clear that they are not going to withdraw their resignation.
*Rebel Congress MLA Shrimant Patil writes a letter to Speaker about his health issues and admission in Mumbai Hospital and inability to attend House.
1) Byrathi Basavaraj 2) Munirathna3) ST Somashekar4) Ramesh Jarkiholi 5) Roshan Baig 6) Srimanth Patil 7) Anand Singh 8) B Nagendra 9) R Shankar 10) K Gopalaiah (JDS)11) Narayana Gowda (JDS)12) MTB Nagaraj 13) BC Patil 14) H Vishwanath (JDS)15) Mahesh Kumthahalli 16) Prathap Gouda Patil 17) Dr Sudhakar 18) Shivaram Hebbar19) N Mahesh (BSP )
The above MLAs from Coalition are not present in house now
* Karnataka Congress MLA Shrimant Patil has been shifted to Mumbai's St. George Hospital from Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre for further treatment.
* Speaker: Nobody is thinking about the public in this one-upmanship? I have to speak to the Advocate General. I ask the home minister, please contact the family members of Shrimanth Patil. Did he have to go to Mumbai? Did the chest pain occur suddenly? Has it happened before?
* Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar during trust vote debate: What kind of a Speaker I would be if I proceed with the document (letter sent by Congress MLA Shrimant Patil informing about his ill health) which has no date or letterhead.
* Speaker: Under rule 203, the Speaker has to read out the letter and ask your permission. How can I accept this letter, which is not on an official letter pad? Why did he go to Mumbai? With whom did he go? Should I base myself on the rules or on the current political climate? This letter did not even have a date. How can I consider this?
* Speaker: I have been given a ticket. I cannot look at who travelled with whom. My concern is only that Siddaramaiah has written. I got a letter that was not on a letter pad and wasn't dated, it said Shrimanth Patil is in St George hospital because of chest pain.
* Speaker Ramesh Kumar to Home Minister: Speak to the family of Shrimanth Patil, get a sense from them about whether there was a history of chest ache, why he has been taken to Mumbai and submit a report, failing which he will instruct DG to proceed.
* HD Kumaraswamy: I haven't yet got time to complete my speech. But the discussion is over Schedule 10. I will not threaten anybody. I'm in no hurry, let us discuss what happened between 200 8 and 2013. We haven't treated MLAs like cattle. In the case of Shrimanth Patil, you (BJP) must explain who sent photos of him on WhatsApp? Who traveled with him in the flight? The speaker has the responsibility to protect the MLAs. Numbers only matter during the vote.
* CT Ravi (BJP): I can understand why they feel so bad about losing power. They have accused the BJP but in whose custody was he? You are the chief minister and you have the government. They should introspect rather than accuse us.
* CT Ravi: The coalition is accusing us because they don't have numbers. If they had numbers, they would have gone for trust vote already.
* BJP leaders led by MLA Arvind Limbavali to head to Raj Bhavan BJP to submit memorandum to Governor saying speakers office being misused The BJP is objecting to the delay in trust vote as Congress and JDS continue to debate the SC order and other issues
* Congress leaders continue to slam BJP
Being a former Chief Minister, being the leader of opposition, he (BS Yeddyurappa) is misguiding the nation, misguiding the court: DK Shivakumar
Siddaramaiah, the 10th schedule has not been struck down either by parliament or a court of law. Under this law any party has the power to Issue Whip to its members. It is Constitutional. When such is the case many MLAs without taking permission they have gone together in the same vehicle.
I'm taking time because the while country is watching the developments in Karnataka. To inform the people of the country I'm putting these things forward. Congress and JD(S) came together. I'm the chief of the legislature party and I have the right to issue Whip and they are obligated to follow the Whip. The people who gave resignations together petitioned the court and the respondents were state Karnataka, speaker, HD Kumarswamy and union of India. The Congress or me were not made respondents. But the prayer was to direct the speaker to accept the Resignations and restrain the speaker from proceeding further in disqualification. Unfortunately, the supreme court in the interim order they have not discussed the Whip. In the final paragraph that the MLAs cannot be completed . This is against the right given to political party. It applies to all political parties.
Speaking to ANI, he said, "We are 101 per cent confident. They are less than 100, we are 105. There is no doubt that their motion will be defeated."
Speaker Ramesh Kumar today will be subjected to close scrutiny. The opposition has alleged that the Speaker is trying to scuttle the trust vote by delaying. However , SC has overruled that and has not fixed any time frame to him for deciding on resignation plea.
List of absentee MLAs
1) Byrathi Basavaraj 2) Munirathna3) ST Somashekar4) Ramesh Jarkiholi 5) Roshan Baig 6) Srimanth Patil 7) Anand Singh 8) B Nagendra 9) R Shankar 10) K Gopalaiah (JDS)11) Narayana Gowda (JDS)12) MTB Nagaraj 13) BC Patil 14) H Vishwanath (JDS)15) Mahesh Kumthahalli 16) Prathap Gouda Patil 17) Dr Sudhakar 18) Shivaram Hebbar19) N Mahesh (BSP )