On Friday, the court will continue hearing the petition filed by the Congress-JD(S) combine that has challenged the Governor's decision to invite BJP, the single-largest party but short of majority, to form government.
BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa took oath as Karnataka Chief Minister in Bengaluru on Thursday morning, shortly after a rare post-midnight sitting of the Supreme Court declined to stay the swearing-in but said it remains subject to the final outcome of the case.
On Friday, the court will continue hearing the petition filed by the Congress-JD(S) combine that has challenged the Governor's decision to invite BJP, the single-largest party but short of majority, to form government.
"I seek support of all MLAs. I am sure they will vote according to their conscience. I am sure of winning the vote of confidence and will serve the full five-year term," the CM said. Vala has given Yeddyurappa 15 days to prove his majority.
Both Congress and JD(S) that together have the numbers but did not have a pre-poll alliance stepped up protests. Congress also moved to re-stake its claim for government formation in states where it was the single-largest party but did not get a crack at power. RJD made a similar demand in Bihar to re-stake its claim to form government.
"This morning, while BJP celebrates its hollow victory, India will mourn the defeat of democracy." Congress president Rahul Gandhi said.
BJP president Amit Shah hit back. "Murder of democracy happened the minute Congress made an opportunist offer to JD(S), not for Karnataka's welfare but for their petty political gains. Shameful!," he said.
The oath controversy
Suitcase swaps before oath?
A-G KK Venugopal told the court the anti-defection law will come into force only after MLAs are sworn in. “If they defect before that, it cannot amount to defection,” he said. Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan said, “Does it imply that suitcase exchanges are made possible before MLAs are sworn in?”
Cong-JD(S) steps up protests
Soon after BS Yeddyurappa’s oath, JD(S) and Congress leaders and workers protested in and outside the Vidhana Soudha and attacked the PM, Amit Shah and Governor. Congress MLAs, camped in Eagleton resort, were brought to participate in a sit-in dharna.
Sans floor test, CM ‘announces’ waiver
Within hours of taking oath, Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa said he will soon waive off crop loans of farmers across the state in line with BJP’s election pledge. “We will announce the waiver within two days,” he said.
SC’S RARE NIGHT-LONG SITTING
10:30 pm: Cong, JD(S) meet SC Secy Gen Ravindra Maithani, seeks urgent hearing, submits plea
12 am: Maithani heads to CJI’s residence for directions
1:10 am: Registrar heads to SC
1:20 am: CJI sets up bench of justices AK Sikri, SA Bobde & Ashok Bhushan
1:35 am-1:45 am: Abhishek Manu Singhvi for Cong-JD(S), former A-G Mukul Rohatgi for three BJP MLAs reach courtroom No. 6
1:45 am: Hearing begins. Singhvi says Guv’s order be stayed, citing Manipur, Meghalaya and Goa. Objects to 15 days given to BSY.
2:15 am: A-G KK Venugopal says calling a party to form govt is Guv’s discretion, oath must take place as it’s a reversible process. Rohatgi says a constitutional authority’s order can’t be stayed
3:30 am: ASG Maninder Singh appears; ASG Tushar Mehta also present
5:25 am: No stay on oath, but court says govt formation subject to case outcome;Guv should get BSY’s letter of support at 10.30 am on Friday
9 am: BSY sworn in
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