Karnataka news Updates: Independent Karnataka MLA R Shankar has been disqualified as assembly member till end of term in 2023, Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said. Rebel Congress MLAs Ramesh L Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumathalli have also been disqualified under anti-defection law of the 10th schedule of the Constitution.
Earlier, senior BJP leaders from Karnataka met party’s national president Amit Shah and working president JP Nadda to apprise them about the latest political situation and also discuss the necessary steps for the formation of the next government. Senior leader and former CM Jagadish Shettar told ANI that the delegation will again meet Shah and Nadda later in the day. “They want to discuss again this afternoon at 3 PM, then they will take a final decision in the Parliamentary Board meeting,” he said.
The 14-month-old Congress-JD(S) coalition government failed to prove its strength in the Vidhan Soudha on Tuesday night, paving the way for BJP to stake claim to form the government. However, the BJP’s central leadership is treading cautiously in view of the impending Supreme Court’s ruling in the matter as well as the Speaker’s decision on the fate of 17 rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs whose resignation pushed the Congress-JDS government in a crisis. In the 225-member House which includes one nominated member, the BJP has 105 MLAs and enjoys the support of two independents. On Tuesday night, at the time of division, 20 MLAs were missing from House, reducing its effective strength to 205. The motion moved by HD Kumaraswamy secured 99 votes, four less than the halfway mark to claim a majority. A total of 105 MLAs voted against the motion.
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Addressing the media, Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said that resignation is a respectable terminology, disqualification is "admonishing". Disqualified members under the anti-defection law cannot contest or get elected till the end of the term of the house, he said. The Speaker will decide on the cases of 14 other rebel MLAs in the next few days.
Rebel Congress MLAs Ramesh L Jarkiholi from Gokak (Belagavi) and Mahesh Kumathalli from Athani (Belgaum) have been disqualified till the expiry of the 15th legislative assembly of Karnataka under anti-defection law of the 10th schedule of the Constitution.
Karnataka assembly speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said that the Independent MLA R Shankar has been disqualified.
Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said on Thursday that he would use his discretion and uphold the faith the Supreme Court has placed in him. Kumar is yet to decide on the resignation and disqualification of the rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs. He said there was no further opportunity for the rebel MLAs to appear before him and it was a closed chapter now. "Law is same for everyone whether it is a labourer or President of India," he said.
According to reports, BJP national president Amit Shah has postponed his meeting with a delegation of Karnataka BJP leaders. He is likely to meet the delegation in the evening.
Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday rubbished reports he had instigated the rebels to resign and destabilise the coalition government headed by H D Kumaraswamy. He also cautioned the media houses against peddling "false news". In a series of tweets, Siddaramaiah said the rebels were trying to "shift the blame on me but the facts would surface once the dust settles."
The rebel Karnataka MLAs, who had been camping in Mumbai before they flew to New Delhi earlier this week for appearance in the Supreme Court, will either return to Mumbai for a brief stay or fly directly to Bengaluru, news agency PTI reported. The picture is likely cleared by today evening about their Mumbai visit. According to sources, 15 rebel MLAs from the Congress and JD (S) were camping at Hotel Renaissance in Mumbai.
To decide on the disqualification of rebel MLAs who have submitted their resignations, Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Thursday held a meeting with the lawyers and sought their legal opinion on their disqualification.
Karnataka caretaker Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Thursday said that no one can give a stable government in the state in the present political scene after the fall of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government two days ago. Kumaraswamy said the resignations by the rebel MLAs of the coalition had pushed the state towards by-elections. "Whether you focus on the developmental activities or the by-elections at 20 to 25 places, an atmosphere created by the BJP? We cannot assume that the government will remain stable even after the elections," Kumaraswamy was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Rebel JD(S) MLA H Vishwanath’s son Amith Vishwanath has met state BJP Chief BS Yeddyurappa at his residence. While resigning with 14 Congress-JD(S) MLAs H Vishwanath had said that the coalition government in Karnataka has failed to meet the aspirations of the people. He had alleged that the state government did not take MLAs into confidence in its functioning.
Any decision taken by Speaker Ramesh Kumar, who is a Congress candidate, on the rebel MLAs will have bearing on the formation of the next government. As long as the rebel MLAs remain members of the House, the BJP will not have a clear majority. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Karnataka may have a spell of President's rule till its Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar decides on the resignations of the 15 rebel legislators of the Congress and JD(S) as the BJP is not in a hurry to stake claim to form a government amid uncertainty. BJP's Karnataka unit spokesman G Madhusudan said that if the Speaker takes longer time to accept or reject the resignations of the rebels, the Governor may recommend President's rule in the state, "as we will not like to stake claim to power in such a situation".
A meeting between caretaker Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy and Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy, concludes. Congress MLA Soumya Reddy was also present at the meeting.
Karnataka BJP leader Jagadish Shettar told ANI that a delegatiom met Amit Shah and JP Nadda to discuss the political scenario in the state and formation of BJP government. "They want to discuss again this afternoon at 3 PM, then they will take a final decision in the Parliamentary Board meeting," he said.
BY Vijayendra, BJP's Karnataka unit general secretary, said that senior BJP leaders from the state will be meeting Amit Shah. "Let's see what happens," he said.
BJP leader Arvind Limbavali told reportes in Delhi that a delegation from Karnataka reached Delhi to meet Amit Shah and JO Nadda. "We are here to take guidance of the central leadership, for formation of the new govt what should be the strategy and action plan. We are meeting Amit Shah, JP Nadda and other leaders," he told ANI.
BJP leader JC Madhuswamy said that rebel MLAs waited 14 months to settle their issues. "Those in power weren't gracious enough to consider their requests. Their bond is spoilt. No quesyion of them going back to their original parties. We have confidence and we are hopeful we will form the government."
The Supreme Court has allowed the two Karnataka independent MLAs to withdraw their petition, after HD Kumaraswamy lost the trust vote in Karnataka Assembly and tendered his resignation.
A BJP delegation reached Delhi in the morning to meet party president Amit Shah and working president JP Nadda. The delegations leaders will discuss about the party's strategy with regard to the formation of the next government.