#KarnatakaCrisis: Speaker summons 12 rebel MLAs, floor test today
What's the story
Karnataka assembly speaker KR Ramesh on Monday summoned 12 rebel MLAs of Congress, whose resignations have endangered the coalition's survival. The MLAs were asked to appear at 11 AM on Tuesday to "explain" their resignations. Congress leader Siddaramaiah had moved a plea in this regard. Meanwhile, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy requested Ramesh to conduct the crucial floor test on July 24, Wednesday, but to no avail.
Floor test
Kumaraswamy was supposed to prove majority last week, but didn't
In last two weeks, 18 MLAs have resigned, casting huge doubt on the survival of Kumaraswamy's government. The JD(S) leader was supposed to prove majority on Thursday but didn't. Subsequently, governor Vajubhai Vala asked Kumaraswamy to complete trust vote process by 1:30 PM on Friday, but nothing happened. The second deadline of 6 PM was also missed, and Ramesh adjourned the house for Monday.
Do you know?
Reportedly, Ramesh denied Kumaraswamy's request to postpone floor test
While adjourning the house, Ramesh told the coalition the floor test will be conducted on Monday. So when Kumaraswamy made a request to postpone it, Ramesh denied it. Reportedly, he told the Chief Minister it is "impossible" to delay the floor test.
Twitter Post
I will have to pass a ruling today, said Ramesh
#BIGNEWS: #BJP delegation approached me and requested trust vote. I will have to pass a ruling today: Speaker #RameshKumar#KarnatakaPoliticalCrisis #KarnatakaTrustVote #KarnatakaFloorTest pic.twitter.com/9z4W0iMf73
— NEWS9 (@NEWS9TWEETS) July 22, 2019
SC order
Meanwhile, Supreme Court refuses plea seeking floor test today
As confusion over Karnataka's floor test continued, two independent MLAs R Shankar and H Nagesh moved Supreme Court seeking directions to conduct the floor test by 5 PM. Inside the top court, their representative Mukul Rohatgi said the floor test was being delayed under "one pretext or another". On this, the bench said it will not interfere in the matter.
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Have never done this before, said bench in its order
Dismissing the request, the bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, said, "Impossible. We have never done this before." When Rohatgi asked if the plea will be listed tomorrow, the bench replied, "We will look into it".
Appeal
Earlier, Kumaraswamy made an appeal to rebel MLAs
Interestingly, Kumaraswamy made a last-ditch effort to convince rebel MLAs. Claiming that he wasn't power-hungry, Kumaraswamy asked the MLAs to return and "expose" BJP. "Let us sit together and discuss all issues including your problems, if any, and arrive at a solution to save this democratically elected government from the evil forces which are trying to shake the very foundation of democracy," he said.