Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP) 

Bengaluru, Jul 23: Former Congress MP, V S Ugrappa, has charged the Governor of extending support to horse trading by inviting the BJP to rule Karnataka although it does not enjoy majority in the state Assembly. 

Addressing a press conference here on Friday July 27, Ugrappa said that during the period H D Kumaraswamy had sought trust vote, the Governor had written him a letter to complete the formalities in a hurry. "The Governor, without realizing the supremacy of the Assembly, cut short the debate and forced the chief minister to seek trust vote. BJP and the governor have overlooked popular mandate, dumped the democratic values and formed the state government," he alleged. 

The strength of the state Assembly is 225, and three have been disqualified by the assembly speaker. Out of the remaining assembly strength of 222, BJP has 105 members and the Congress - JDS combine has 101. 

Ugrappa said that for any government to be formed, it requires support of at least 112 legislators. He agreed that the Governor can allow leader of the group enjoying highest number of members to form the government, but pointed out that the disqualification complaint against 13 MLAs who have resigned, is still pending. He said that the Governor has allowed a party in minority to run the government. Terming that this is tantamount to the Governor indirectly paving way for horse-trading, he said he condemns the decision.