NEW DELHI: In a new twist to the high-voltage political drama surrounding Karnataka Polls 2018, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered that floor test in the Karnataka assembly be held at 4 pm on Saturday. A bench of justices A K Sikri, S A Bobde and Ashok Bhushan was listening to a writ petition filed by the Congress-JD(S) regarding Governor Vajubhai Vala’s invitation to the BJP to form government in Karnataka.
The bench said during proceedings, “It is better to hold floor test on Saturday and not give any time to anyone rather than go into legality of Governor’s decision to invite B S Yeddyurappa”. The court’s decision reduces the 15-day window given by the Governor to newly-crowned BJP chief minister B S Yeddyurappa to prove majority after the Karnataka election result.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Yeddyurappa, opposed the court’s proposed day and asked it to set a more reasonable date for the floor test. The SC cited past precedents fixing such time period for floor test.
Soon after proceedings began at 10.30am, Rohatgi handed over two letters stating that Yeddyurappa has been elected as leader of BJP, the largest party in the Karantaka assembly, and that he has the support of necessary number of MLAs.
Rohatgi added that there was no need for Yeddyurappa to give names of all MLAs to the governor as he is ready to prove majority on the floor of the House. He revealed that BJP would receive support from legislators belonging to Congress and JDS aand the letters written by Congress-JD(S) does not show signs of each and every MLA declaring its support to the post-poll alliance.
“I have instruction from several MLAs from other side that they have not given written support to Cong-JDS combine. I don’t want to say anything more at this stage,” Rohatgi said.
Congress representative and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi asked the court to decide which party should get the chance to prove majority first. He asserted that Congress-JD(S) is ready for a floor test on Saturday, without any delay. He went on to say that there should be videography and proper security provided to legislators so they may vote fearlessly. SC said it will order DGP to make proper arrangements for floor test on Saturday.
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