Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jul 19: Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s confidence motion was taken up for discussion in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, July 18.
The Karnataka assembly discussed the matter on Friday which included lengthy speeches from many MLAs including the chief minister and war of words between and coalition members and BJP.
But with many developments during the day, trust vote could not be held.
Here are live updates:
19-7-2019
8.30 pm - Assembly adjourned till Monday,
7.34 pm - Congress legislators adamant on adjourning the house as the clock hits 7.30 pm.
Congress legislators adamant on adjourning the house as the clock hits 7.30 pm. Speaker declines their request and directs MLA Narayan Rao to speak. Congress legislators say that they have to return to their constituencies to oversee drought works.
7.15 pm - Laxmi Hebbalkar: "What is happening with the coalition today, will happen to BJP in six months. Will the MLAs who dumped Congress back the BJP indefinitely?"
7.01 pm - B S Yeddyurappa: We don't need much time to speak. Let whoever in the coalition want to speak, address the house. Doesn't matter if it is 11 or 11.30 pm. But, hold the vote today. This will ensure that Governor's decision is abided.
6.50 pm - Siddarmaiah: "A few members are yet to speak and the governor has asked us to finish vote of confidence by today. Not giving opportunity to let MLAs speaker will affect their rights.
There are precedents that discussion on motion of confidence was held for several days. We will compile a list of speakers and finish discussion on Monday, after which we can put the motion to vote."
6. 45 pm - Home Minister M B Patil, while laying a report on Shrimanth Patil's alleged kidnapping: "We have recorded his family's statements in Kagwad, where they said that he has gone voluntarily. In Mumbai, a team of policemen from the State were not allowed to meet Patil."
6.40 pm - Confidence motion will lose its sanctity if it is delayed, says BJP leader Suresh Kumar. Urges that discussion be completed soon.
6.21 pm - BJP legislators are ready to stay as long as it is required to finish discussions, says BJP MLA JC Madhuswamy
6.06 pm - Coalition legislators demand the Speaker to adjourn the session till Monday.
Speaker rejects the demand, asks JD(S) MLA ShivalingeGowda to continue his marathon speech.
5.55 pm - Kumaraswamy challenges Governor's letter in SC
Karnataka Chief MinisterH D Kumaraswamy has also moved the Supreme Court and challenged the Governor's letter which had asked him to complete the trust vote by 1.30 pm today.
4.35 pm - "Today, Governor is speaking about horse-trading. He says that such long drawn proceedings on vote of confidence do not reflect well on the house. Where was the Governor when MLAs were flown to Mumbai. Didn't the governor not notice horse-trading that took place in the last ten days?," says Kumaraswamy.
4.10 pm - Amid trust vote, Karnataka Pradesh Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday moves the Supreme Court seeking clarification on the July 17 order that allowed the rebel MLAs to opt out of the Trust Vote in state Assembly
3.39 pm - Governor Vajubhai Vala sends a reminder to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy asking him to complete trust vote by 6 pm today.
3.33 pm - BJP to meet speaker and move breach of privilege motion against MLA Srinivas Gowda
2.30 pm - The Assembly failed to meet the 1.30 pm deadline set by Governor Vajubhai Vala for Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to prove his majority in the House.
2.25 pm - "You (BJP) blame Revanna of carrying a lemon. You believe in Hindu culture, but you blame him. He carries lemon with him and he goes to a temple. But you accuse him of doing black magic. Is it even possible to save a Govt by black magic?" asks H D Kumaraswamy
1.56 pm - "Discussions are not complete. As many as 20 MLAs have sent their names to the speaker. Speaker will have to give them an opportunity as they have the right to speak in the house. Speaker will give them an opportunity and only after all these MLAs speak, the discussion will be complete. Following this, the vote will take place," Siddaramaiah in Assembly.
1.48 pm - "I can't agree for division as it is against the procedure. Governors' directions are for the State government, not me. It is their responsibility," says Speaker Ramesh Kumar.
1.30 pm - "Governor has directed to complete trust vote by 1.30 pm. That is why we are pressing for a division," says Yeddyurappa.
1.25 pm - Speaker Ramesh Kumar likely to meet governor when House adjourns for lunch
1.28 pm - Congress legislators raise slogans against the governor. Accuse him of working as 'BJP agent'.
1.15 pm - Krishna Byre Gowda tells BJP, "In your greed for power, you are leaving no constitutional institutions intact. You are causing the breakdown of constitutional machinery."
1.10 pm - "The provisions of the constitution does not allow the Governor to resolve disputes within or between political parties, says an SC order. The government cannot interfere in the affairs of the House. The governor just cannot act as the ombudsmen of the State legislature, according to the order," says H D Kumaraswamy
1.05 pm - "Congress MLA Shrimant Patil wrote a letter to the Governor saying 'I went to Chennai for personal work & felt chest pain. Visited hospital & on doctor's suggestion, I came to Mumbai and got admitted here. Hence couldn't attend assembly session,was not kidnapped by BJP," says Speaker Ramesh Kumar
1.02 pm - The Congress stages a walkout from Lok Sabha protesting against Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's communication to the Speaker Ramesh Kumar asking for a trial of strength by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy in the floor of the House by 1:30 pm.
12.48 pm - "Legislators were offered Rs 40-50 crore to lure them; whose money is it, says Kumaraswamy hitting out at BJP," CM HD Kumaraswamy tells Assmebly, accusing BJP of resorting to ways to circumvent the anti-defection law.
12.42 pm - Mumbai Police has allowed Karnataka Police officials to meet and take a statement of Congress MLA Shrimant Patil, who is admitted at St George hospital in Mumbai
12.35 pm - Some MLAs were offered Rs 40-50 cr to resign from the government in previous attempts to destabilise the government, says HD Kumaraswamy
12.25 pm - "Today they are offering 30 cr. I was offered Rs. 5 cr by BJP MLAs Vishwanath and Ashwathnarayana and former MLA C P Yogeeshwar," tells Srinivas Gowda to the House. Minister Krishna Byre Gowda demands a probe into the issue.
12.18 pm - Kumaraswamy tells BJP, "Let's have discussion. You can still form government. Nothing urgent. You can do it on Monday or Tuesday also. I am not going to misuse power."
12.07 pm - Kumaraswamy during the debate on trust vote in the Assembly says, "After 14 months, "we have come to the final stage. I had no clue about becoming CM. I have no fears about losing this seat. My family is not behind power."
11.59 am - In a video from Mumbai, MLA MTB Nagaraj expresses 'shock' at Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy's decision to withdraw his resignation. Nagaraj is among the fifteen rebel legislators who have resigned from the government.
11.39 am - With Governor Vajubhai Vala asking CM H D Kumaraswamy to prove majority in the Assembly by noon, state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa predicted the end of the coalition government and said his party will decide on the future course of action after consulting the national leadership.
11.20 am - H D Kumaraswamy addresses assembly, says nation is keeping a close eye on Karnataka
10.50 am - "Those who hurl slurs at my character, look back at what your life has been. Anyone who knows me knows I don't have lakhs of money stashed up like others. I have enough strength to take a non-partisan decision despite such slur," says Speaker Ramesh Kumar
10.31 am - "Speaker Ramesh Kumar is acting like an agent. He is protecting the government though it has no majority. JD(S) Congress leaders are going against the Governor, Constitution and the democracy," said MP Shoba Karandlaje.
10.22 am - "I think the Congress party will go to Supreme Court because Governor cannot interfere in the matter of Speaker, he has no right to do it. Governor is arbitrarily interfering and trying to work as agent of a party," said Congress Rajya Sabha MP Nasir Hussain.
10.02 am - BJP MLAs to hold a meeting with state BJP president, B S Yeddyurappa before the commencement of today's Assembly session, says media reports
9.15 am - "They were on an overnight dharna at Vidhana Soudha. It's our duty to arrange food & other things for them. Some of them have diabetes & BP, that's why we arranged everything here. Beyond politics we're friends, it's the beauty of democracy," said G Parameshwara on BJP MLAs' dharna.
8.35 am - Media reports state that BJP may move SC for immediate floor test
18-7-2019
8.45 pm - Governor writes letter to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to prove majority in the Assembly tomorrow by 1.30 pm.
6.10 pm - BJP desperate to usurp power: Randeep Surjewala.
6.00 pm - Din in the house again as coalition MLAs raise slogans against BJP.
5.45 pm - We have asked for a clarification from the speaker regarding violation of schedule 10 of the constitution. BJP is not in a hurry to address that but is only interested in the trust vote: Krishna Byre Gowda.
5.35 pm - Advocate General arrives to meet Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar. Speaker to consult AG on the point of order raised by Siddaramaiah.
5.15 pm - Files being cleared in haste after CM called for a vote of confidence. Transfers are made and files are cleared in a hurry, alleges Suresh Kumar.
5.05 pm - Governor might not have sent directions. It might be a wrongly sent message. This amount to interference in the house which the governor shall not do: H K Patil
5.00 pm - Governor recommends conducting trust vote by the end of the day.
Dear honourable speaker, the motion of confidence moved is in consideration at the house. CM is expected to maintain the confidence of the house at all times. I send a message to consider trust vote by the end of the day: Governor Vajubhai Vala's message to Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar.
4.41 pm - Special officer from Governor's office reaches Vidhana Soudha to meet Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar.
4.08 pm - Congress MLAs storm the well of the house. Proceedings adjourned for 30 minutes.
3.56 pm - Speaker further asked, "How can I accept a letter (sent by Shrimant Patil informing about his ill health) which is not in a letter pad and is undated? How can I consider this letter?"
3.50 pm - Matter of Shrimant Patil has been put forth and documents related to his travel were submitted to me. But, I cannot order for an enquiry into the issue - Speaker Ramesh Kumar
3.43 pm - "Shrimanth Patil was fine. Later, we came to know he was missing and we couldn't find him. I can prove that BJP was behind it. He was flown to Chennai. From Chennai, he flew with Laxman Savadi to Mumbai. They took him to Mumbai because BJP is in power there. If Patil was unwell, there were hospitals in Bengaluru," says KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao
3.38 pm - "Kagwad Congress MLA Shrimant Patil was forcefully admitted to hospital to skip assembly. I will produce documents. BJP has abducted Shrimant Patil," alleges D K Shivakumar.
3.25 pm - BJP delegation to meet Governor Vajubhai Vala and request him to direct Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to conduct trust vote
3.26 pm - Senior BJP leader B Sriramulu on Thursday said that he would welcome Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar to the BJP. There were rumours that Shivakumar invited Sriramulu to the Congress and offered him the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
3.10 pm - BJP leader C T Ravi said that the trust vote was unlikely today, as the coalition partners had planned to delay the same.
2.15 pm - If we go ahead with the confidence motion, if the whip applicable and they (rebel MLAs) don't come to the house because of the SC order, it will be a big loss to the coalition government - Siddaramaiah
1.58 pm - "Till we get clarification on the Supreme Court's previous order, it is not appropriate to take a floor test in this session which is against the Constitution," Siddaramaiah in Vidhana Soudha.
1.46 pm - "Being a former Chief Minister, being the leader of opposition, B S Yeddyurappais misguiding the nation, misguiding the court," DK Shivakumar in Assembly.
12.45 pm - "When a member chooses not to come, our attendants will not permit them to sign the register of attendance. The concerned member will not be entitled to draw any emolument that is meant for the member to be drawn for being present in the House," says Speaker.
12.43 pm - "This House holds Supreme Court in highest esteem. Let me make it clear to leader of Congress Legislature Party that this Office is not restraining you from exercising any of your authorities. I've no role to play in that," Speaker Ramesh Kumar.
12.23 pm - "I have self-respect and so do my ministers. I have to make some clarifications. Who is responsible for destabilising this government?" CM Kumaraswamy in Assembly.
11.58 am - Former CM Siddaramaiah, speaking in Assembly, says there were MLAs who defected thrice in one day.
11.45 am - "I haven't come just because there is a question on whether I can run a coalition government or not. Events have shown that even the role of the Speaker has been put under jeopardy by some legislators," CM HD Kumaraswamy in Vidhana Soudha.
11.30 am - Lone BSP MLA N Mahesh is not present in the House during trust motion
11.00 am - Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy arrives at Vidhana Soudha as his government faces floor test
10.45 am - "We are 101 per cent confident. They are less than 100, we are 105. There is no doubt that their motion will be defeated," BS Yeddyurappa at Vidhana Soudha.
10.21 am - Congress leader Siddaramaiah arrives at Vidhana Soudha
10.17 am - BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa and BJP MLAs arrive at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru
8.55 am - Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and deputy chief minister Dr G Parameshwara held meeting with Congress MLAs at Prakriti Resort ahead of trust vote in the assembly session.
8.45 am - The BJP has asked legislators such as M P Renukacharya, C T Ravi, A S Patil (Nadahalli) among others, who are known for their firebrand approach, not to react to intimidation by the ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition, as they do not want to give any scope to Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to suspend its legislators.
8.30 am - JD(S) issues whip to its MLAs including rebels H Vishwanath, Narayana Gowda, H Gopalaiah, to be present for trust vote at Vidhana Soudha on Thursday. Whip states if session is not attended or voting is done against party, action will be initiated under Anti-defection law.
17-7-2019
4.30 pm - The Congress is likely to mount pressure on Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to consider its petition seeking disqualification of 13 rebel legislators under the anti-defection law.
2.10 pm - Chief minister H D Kumaraswamy holds meeting with Congress leaders in Bengaluru.
12.58 pm - Rebel MLAs in Mumbai said, "We honour Supreme Court's verdict. We all are together. We stand by our decision. There is no question of attending Assembly."
11.27 am - The Supreme Court said that tomorrow's trust vote will go ahead as planned, but the rebel MLAs will not be forced to take part.
11.04 am - I will abide by the Supreme Court's order and will uphold the confidence placed in me by the apex court. The trust vote will go on Thursday - Speaker Ramesh Kumar
10.58 am - Speaker to decide on the resignation of 15 rebel MLAs without being influenced by observations made by it while hearing the case: SC
10.57 am - SC says that Karnataka assembly should decide on resignation of 15 rebel MLAs within a reasonable time frame and leave it for the speaker to take a call on the issue.
10.55 am - The Supreme Court says, "We are passing interim orders to maintain constitutional balance. The Speaker should be allowed to pass appropriate orders on rebel MLAs resignations within parameters of Article 190 of the Constitution and relevant the Rules. As and when the Speaker passes orders, the same shall be placed before us."
10.49 am - Supreme Court says the discretion given to the Karnataka Assembly Speaker to decide resignations of rebel MLAs should not be fettered with any direction. At the same time, MLAs ought not to be compelled to participate in Trust motion on July 18.
10.15 am - Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar has asked to meet with two of the rebel MLAs- MTB Nagraj and Sudhakar, later today. They are scheduled to meet with him after 3 pm.
16-7-2019
3.36 pm - Supreme Court reserves its order for Wednesday, July 17 at 10.30 am on 15 rebel MLAs' plea for a direction to the Speaker to decide their resignations.
3.22 pm - Rohatgi counters arguments of Speaker and CM saying, "This is a govt which has lost majority and the Speaker only wants to prop up a govt which is in minority."
3.14 pm - SC order on status quo would mean total chaos and free run: Rajeev Dhavan tells SC
2.52 pm - "The rebel MLAs want court to interfere with the Speaker's power and enter political thicket. Speaker has to consider the fact that a pack of 10 and 13 are hunting to bring down the govt," Rajeev Dhavan tells SC.
2.32 pm - "Every MLA who went to Mumbai wants to be Minister. It is not an individual's case but a pack of 10 MLAs. It is a matter to be decided by evening," senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan on behalf of CM Kumaraswamy tells Supreme Court.
2.25 pm - Singhvi on behalf of Speaker says, "You cannot take away my vested right by Article 32 petition. Disqualification is prior to resignation. Evil of defection is to be controlled. You may indicate the time limit. This is not an extreme case where you should intervene."
1.57 pm - Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar Tuesday said in the Supreme Court that he would decide on both disqualification and resignation of the rebel MLAs by Wednesday and requested it to modify its earlier order directing him to maintain status quo on the matter.
1.30 pm - All 15 MLAs (rebel) never presented themselves before the Speaker prior to July 11: Speaker Ramesh Kumar to SC
12.50 pm - Singhvi says some BJP MLAs and party president BS Yeddyurappa's personal secretary are directly involved in shifting rebel Congress and JD(S) MLAs to Mumbai.
12.40 pm - Decide the resignation and then disqualification: SC
12.25 pm - All disqualification proceedings are prior to resignations: Abhishek Manu Singhvi
12.20 pm - Why did the speaker not do anything when the MLAs resigned on July 6?. What stopped the Speaker from deciding on the resignations, asks CJI.
12.15 pm - Rebel MLAs had started anti-party activities much before when they actually resigned - Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing on behalf of speaker KR Ramesh Kumar
11.47 am - Rebel Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy: I went to see doctor, it got delayed. Speakers' office will call me, I will go today or tomorrow, whenever they call me. The reason of resignation was internal. I will have to come for the floor test, my resignation is not accepted.
11.45 am - No involvement of the BJP leaders in the resignations of rebel MLAs. Reasons for resignation are irrelevant: Rohatgi tells SC
11.35 am - Speaker is coercing MLAs to continue in the House: Mukul Rohatgi, lawyer representing Rebel MLAs
11.29 am - Congress rebel MLA Roshan Baig has moved the high court against his detention in the IMA scam case
9.55 am - The top court is scheduled to take up the matter on Tuesday, as the Speaker, along with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, had questioned the maintainability of the writ petitions by the rebels.
8.45 am - The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to consider a plea by five more Karnataka rebel MLAs, who have joined the 10 disgruntled legislators from the ruling JD(S)-Congress government to seek a direction to Assembly Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to decide on their resignations.
15-7-2019
4:53 pm - Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy skips meeting with Speaker over health reasons. Ramalinga Reddy was supposed to meet the Speaker KR Ramesh in person at 4:00 pm July 15 over his resignation of MLA position. But, he won't be coming to the Vidhana Soudha today due to ill health concern. Reddy claimed that his eyes need treatment and requested two day's time to meet the Speaker, TV reports say.
JD(S) MLA Gopalaiah (Mahalakshmi Layout) was also summoned to meet Speaker in person for the same aforementioned reason. But, since he is in Mumbai, there won't be any meeting.
4.39 pm - According to TV reports, the 15 Rebel Congress and JD(S), who are now staying Rennaisance Hotel in Mumbai have apparently decided to skip the floor test at Vidhana Soudha, Bengaluru on July 18.
2.48 pm - Speaker KR Ramesh adjourns the State Assembly session till July 18.
2.04 pm - Discussion on vote of confidence will be taken up on Thursday at 11 am in Karnataka Assembly - Siddaramaiah
1.56 pm - Speaker announces that chief minister HD Kumaraswamy's floor test will take place on Thursday, July 18 at 11:00 am. BJP has announced that they will not allow the proceedings in the house until the motion of confidence is held at the earliest.
1.46 pm - BLP MLCs create ruckus urging for the floor test and are refusing to conduct the proceedings in the house. S L Dharmegowda, Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council has adjourned the session till tomorrow.
1.10 pm - Congress, JD(S) leaders hold meeting with Speaker Ramesh Kumar to discuss the disqualification of rebel MLAs.
12.59 pm - CLP leader Siddaramaiah issues clarification on issues to MLAs says certain matters have to be discussed confidentially and the matters will be discussed with senior leaders. He adds that such matters cannot be disclosed to all.
12.50 pm - HD Kumaraswamy arrives at the Speaker's office in Vidhana Soudha.
12.18 pm - BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa is holding legislature party meeting at Vidhana Soudha and is later expected to submit a proposal to the Speaker KR Ramesh to move confidence motion later today during the Monsoon session.
12.09 pm - BJP, Congress and JD(S) MLAs arrive at Vidhana Soudha. The Congress-JD(S) Government is demanded by BJP to prove its majority in the assembly on Monday.
11.23 am - Siddaramaiah is expected to hold Congress Legislature Party meeting at Taj Vivanta, Yeshwanthpur ahead of Monsoon Session, which is slated to startat 12:30 pm Monday.
11.07 am - 14 rebel MLAs write to senior police inspector, Powai Police Station. They state that have absolutely no intentions in meeting Mallikarjun Kharge, GN Azad or any Congress dignitaries from Maharashtra and Karnataka or any political leader as they anticipate serious threat from them.
Previous updates from July 6: