Bangalore:
Amid complete chaos in the Assembly, the beleaguered BS Yeddyurappa government has survived a test of strength, with a confidence motion being passed by voice vote on Monday morning. (
Watch: Chaos outside Karnataka Assembly |
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This after Speaker KG Bopaiah disqualified 11 dissident BJP MLAs and five independents hours before the crucial vote of confidence, bringing the numbers to favour the BJP. (
Read: Karnataka Speaker disqualifies 16 rebel MLAs)
But even though the Yeddyurappa government has survived the test of strength by the skin of its teeth, it is not yet out of trouble. The Opposition parties - the Congress and the JD(S) - have called the disqualification "anti-democratic" and made clear they will not let matters rest here in their bid to oust the BJP government. (
Read: Opposition meets Governor, says sack BJP govt)
The Congress said after the trust vote that many MLAs were outside when the confidence motion was passed. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president RV Deshpande said this was the "darkest day in Karnataka politics"and that his party would appeal to the Governor against the "undemocratic manner" in which the vote was conducted. (
Read: Undemocratic vote, will appeal to Governor, says Congress)
Danish Ali of the JD(S) said the "Speaker's decision was not legal. We will appeal to the Governor to recommend the dismissal of this government." (
Watch)
He said a "United oppn will protest this. Nowhere have we heard of a confidence vote passed by voice vote and MLAs disqualified one hour before Assembly."
Danish Ali said the anti-defection law had been abused. Congress and JD(S) MLAs are on their way to meet the Governor.
The BJP on its part has accused the Opposition of "playing dirty tricks" to try and bring down its government and said it had the numbers to cross its biggest hurdle. (
Watch: Congress, JD(S) played dirty tricks: Venkaiah)
Pandemomiun in Assembly
The disqualification of the 16 MLAs led to pandemonium in the Assembly on Monday morning. The disqualified MLAs are up in arms and five of them forced their way into the Vidhana Soudha.
As the MLAs violently protested against their disqualification, one even reportedly punching a Marshal, the police was forced to enter the House and struggled to control the lawmakers.
The disqualified MLAs, especially the Independents, are also said to be seeking legal help. One of the disqualified MLAs said the rebels would challenge the Speaker's decision and approach the Governor. The Independent MLAs may also move court. (
Read: Disqualified independents force way into House)
In his order, Speaker Bopaiah said these 16 MLAs had been disqualified under the provision of the anti-defection law as envisaged in the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
The BJP MLAs disqualified are: Balachandra Jarkiholi, Belur Gopala Krishna, Anand Asnotikar, Dr Sarvabowma Bagali, V Nagaraju, Raje Kage, Y Sampangi, Nanjundaswamy, S K Bellubbi, H S Shankara Lingegowda and Shivanagouda Naik.
Former ministers Venkataramanappa, Shivaraj Tangadagi, Goolihatti Sekhar and M P Narendraswamy and independent MLAs were also disqualified.
How the numbers stacked up in the Karnataka Assembly:Total in House: 224
Disqualified: 16
Effective strength: 208
Halfway: 104
BJP: 105
Congress: 73
JD(S): 28
Independents: 1
With the disqualification, Bopaiah brought down the strength in the 224-member Assembly to 208. The ruling party strength reduced to 105 from 117 and the opposition Congress and JD(S) had a combined strength of 101 (Congress 73 and JD(S) 28). So, BJP was in position to pull through (Half way mark now being 104).
The Speaker's move came after a big confrontation between him and Governor HR Bharadwaj who had directed the Speaker not to disqualify any rebel MLA before the floor test on Monday. (
Read: Karnataka crisis: Governor steps in, sends advisory to Speaker)
The Governor and the Speaker traded letters and charges after Governor HR Bharadwaj stepped in to indicate the Speaker, KG Bopaiah, should not disqualify the rebel MLAs in order to maintain the character and configuration of the House.
The Governor had yesterday shot off an advise under Article 175 (2) of the Constitution, asking the Speaker not to change the character of the House and ensure that all members participate in the trial of strength.
Meanwhile, former Karnataka Chief Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, who is spearheading the oust BJP government campaign reacted sharply to the disqualification charging that the BJP government has adopted "anti-democratic" methods to survive in power.
A Week of DramaIt's been a week full of drama in Karntaka politics with the rebel MLAs city hopping late last night; two chartered planes brought back the MLAs to Bangalore, they are being closely guarded by JD(S) chief HD Kumaraswamy.
The Speaker had given the rebels a deadline of 5 pm on Sunday to answer the notice he had issued to them. They ignored that deadline and stayed in Chennai where they met once again with JD (S) leader HD Kumaraswamy. (With PTI inputs)