The Congress-Janata Dal Secular (JDS) coalition in Karnataka will have to prove majority on the floor of the house by 1:30 pm on Friday, Governor Vajubhai Vala wrote to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.
“The fact that 15 members have met me and tendered their resignations and coupled with 2 members have withdrawn their support and other attendant circumstances do prima facie indicate that you have lost majority/confidence of the House,” the letter reads.
“However, it has been reported to me that the proceedings of the house on 18-07-2019 for vote of confidence has been stalled and consequently adjourned without reaching any finality. This cannot go on in a democratic set up governed by the Constitution of India,” it said.
“Though a message as contemplated under article 175 (2) is sent to the Speaker, I’m informed that the House is adjourned today i.e. 18.07.2019. Under these circumstances, I request you to prove your majority on the floor of the House on or before 1:30 pm tomorrow (Friday),” the letter added.
On a request from a BJP delegation, the Governor had urged the Speaker to consider a trust vote by the end of the day i.e. Thursday but the Speaker adjourned the assembly till 11am on Friday despite the BJP insisting on a vote yesterday evening.
To protest adjournment, the BJP members had spent the night in the assembly.
Chief Minister Kumaraswamy moved the motion for a trust vote after Apex Court pronounced its decision on rebel MLAs’ resignations.
In his speech, Kumaraswamy accused the BJP of trying to put hurdles before his government.
On Wednesday the top court had said that the rebel MLAs should not be compelled to take part in the proceedings of the State Assembly.
After the resignation of MLAs, the coalition which formed the government with 117 lawmakers in the 224 Karnataka Assembly, will be left with 101 compared to BJP’s 107 including two independents.
