Karnataka's drama continues, trust vote likely at 6 PM today
What's the story
On Monday, the legislators of Karnataka Assembly debated for hours, but the trust vote couldn't reach conclusion, visibly miffing speaker KR Ramesh Kumar. Adjourning the House close to midnight, Ramesh set a new deadline for the trust vote- 6 PM on Tuesday. "I do not want this 11 PM thing again. Everyone has health conditions," speaker Ramesh said. Here's what went down.
Crisis
The beginning: 18 MLAs resigned threatening Kumaraswamy's government
The survival of Kumaraswamy's coalition government came under threat after 18 legislators resigned. The first resignations came on July 6, and more than two weeks later, they still haven't been accepted. Initially, Ramesh said he needs to "study" them, prompting the MLAs to approach Supreme Court. While allowing time to Ramesh, the court added these rebel MLAs can't be forced to attend the House.
Trust vote
Trust vote started on Thursday. When will it end?
Now, Kumaraswamy was supposed to prove majority in the House on Thursday, last week. But the long-drawn speeches, accusations, and counter-accusations stopped the process from reaching climax. Then, Governor Vajubhai Vala directed Kumaraswamy to finish the trust vote by 1:30 PM. After this deadline was breached, Vala gave another one - 6 PM on Friday, but voting didn't happen even then.
Session
Ramesh wanted to end trust vote, but MLAs kept speaking
When the session resumed on Monday, Ramesh said he wanted to stick to his word and finish trust vote. But the speeches made it impossible. By night only five of 26 MLAs scheduled to speak, finished their speeches. Notably, on Congress leader Siddramaiah's request Ramesh also summoned 12 rebel Congress MLAs on Tuesday. They have been called to "explain" their resignations.
Tensions
While BJP demanded trust vote, government's MLAs called for discussions
On Monday, the House was adjourned twice, once for more than two hours. The opposition BJP pressed for trust vote, but JD(S)-Congress members cajoled Ramesh to first decide on disqualification of rebel MLAs. As the day progressed, chants of "We want justice, we want discussion" filled the Assembly. Ramesh urged MLAs to not make him a "scapegoat" and finish voting, but to no avail.
Quote
After he set new deadline, Ramesh left Assembly in huff
"I am adjourning the House nearly at midnight to meet again on Tuesday at 10 AM for concluding the debate on the confidence motion by 4 PM and holding the floor test by 6 PM," Ramesh told Assembly members and left.
Resignation letter
A fake resignation letter took the drama to new heights
As chaos took over the Assembly, Kumaraswamy distributed copies of what he claimed was his fake resignation letter. The letter read, "Kindly accept my resignation and relieve the council of the minister of Karnataka appointed by me on 22/07/2019." He claimed BJP made the fake letter viral. "Look at the kind of politics they (BJP) are perpetrating," he said. However, BJP dismissed his allegations.
Reaction
Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa said Ramesh 'betrayed' them again
On delay in trust vote, state BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa said Ramesh "betrayed" them. "The Speaker betrayed us again by adjourning the House without the floor test for the fourth time since July 18 after assuring us that he would not defer it beyond Monday," the former CM said. At one point he told Ramesh BJP members were ready to sit after midnight too.