K'taka HC to hear MLAs' petitions; Centre waits

Bangalore, Oct 12: The Karnataka High Court will be hearing the two petitions filed by the 16 disqualified dissident MLAs on Tuesday, Oct 12, after which the Centre is expected to take decision on the recommended President's rule in the state.

A specially constituted bench, comprising Chief Justice J S Kehar and Justice N Kumar, will be hearing the case of the rebel MLAs, including 11 BJP MLAs and five independents, who have accused the K G Bopaiah of siding with the BS Yeddyurappa-led government.

According to a newspaper report, the bench will be looking at the matter as 'purely a question of law'.

"We want to know how the Anti-Defection law is invoked. It is purely a question of law now," a Times of India report quoted the bench as observing on Monday, Oct 12, when it deferred the hearing by a day.

Meanwhile in New Delhi, the core group of the Congress met at the Prime Minister's residence on Monday, Oct 11 to make a decision on Karnataka Governor HR Bharadwaj's recommendation for President's rule in the state.

According to an Indian Express report, the decision has been put off until the Karnataka High Court finishes hearing the case involving the disqualification of 16 MLAs.

Union Cabinet is also scheduled to meet Tuesday, Oct 12 evening. Quoting sources, the newspaper reported that the Cabinet's decision would depend on the “political call" taken by the ruling dispensation after the High Court"s order.

OneIndia News