Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi/Bengaluru
Updated
New Delhi/Bengaluru, May 18: In a huge setback for the BJP and its newly-appointed Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, the Supreme Court on Friday May 18 refused to give any more time to the BJP and ordered a floor test in the assembly on Saturday May 19 at 4 pm.
The governor of Karnataka had earlier given the BJP 15 days to prove majority in the court. The SC cut short the time and asked the BJP to prove its majority on the floor in just over another 24 hours.
Former AG Mukul Rohtagi who represented the BJP in the SC sought more time, but the SC refused. Justice Sikri told the lawyer in clear terms that no more time could be given.
The court also junked Attorney General K K Venugopal's suggestion that the floor test be conducted through secret ballot.
Congress' lawyer Abhishek Singhvi and JD(S) lawyer Kapil Sibal agreed to the floor test.
The court said, "At the end of the day, whether post-poll alliance or a single largest party, it has to be tested on the floor of the assembly."
The SC also directed chief minister Yeddyurappa not to take any policy decisions till the floor test is over.
The court also directed the Karnataka governor not to nominate any Anglo-Indian community member as MLA till floor test is over.
Speaking to reporters later, Abhishek Sighvi termed the order as a 'landmark ruling' by the SC. He also said that the Supreme Court has given 10 weeks for a larger case on the issue of the role of the governor and guidelines to form government.
Meanwhile, the BJP said it is confident of wining the floor test. "BJP is ready and confident of winning trust vote In #Karnataka . We will prove our majority on the floor of the House," tweeted union minister Prakash Javadekar.
The Congress too expressed confidence of winning the floor test with the support of JD(S) MLAs.
"We welcome the judgement of the Supreme Court which has upheld democratic principles. Congress and JD(S) have a comfortable majority in the assembly and it will be proven in the floor test tomorrow," the Karnataka Congress tweeted on its official Twitter handle.
Congress communications in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said it was a victory for the Constitution. "Constitution wins, Democracy restored! #BSYeddyurappa does remain a 1 day CM - Constitution rejects an illegitimate CM as also the unconstitutional decision of Governor of Karnataka," he tweeted.
Presently, Congress and JD(S) MLAs are huddled in a hotel in Hyderabad, where they were rushed late on Thursday night in buses after DGCA denied permission for chartered flights to Kochi.
The BJP has 104 MLAs while the Congess-JD(S) post-poll alliance has the support of 115 MLAs.