Yeddyurappa Government scores victory in the confidence vote in the Karnataka Assembly

Media Source

Bangalore, 11 October 2010:  In a dramatic course of events and unprecedented commotion and confusion in the Karnataka  Assembly, on the morning of Monday, 11th October 2010  the much troubled BJP Government eventually succeeded in winning the  confidence motion passed by voice vote.

 

Prior to the trial of strength on the floor of the Assembly for the BJP-led government, Speaker KG Bopaiah disqualified 11 dissident BJP MLAs and five independents. 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. With this disqualification, the numbers were favourable for the  BJP Government to pass the crucial floor test.

 

 

 As the MLAs violently protested against their disqualification,  the police had to be summoned to maintain law and order within the Assembly. It is reported that the disqualified MLAs, especially the Independents, are also said to be seeking legal help.

 

The arithmetic of the Assembly works out as the follows after the disqualification of the dissidents.

Total: 208, 
Halfway: 104,  
BJP: 105, 
Congress: 73, 
JD(S): 28, 
Independents: 1

 
 
By disqualifying the dissidents, the Speaker, 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.

 

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.

 

It has 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, 10th October 2010 to reply to 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.