Amid political turmoil, Karnataka Assembly monsoon session to begin today
Bengaluru, July 12: The monsoon session of the Karnataka legislature will begin today with the H D Kumaraswamy-led Congress-JD(S) coalition government on a sticky wicket following resignation of 16 of its MLAs.
The 11-day long session is likely to begin with both the assembly and council paying rich tributes to distinguished personalities of the state who died during the period when both Houses were in recess, including veteran actor, director and playwright Girish Karnad.
The spate of resignations pushing the coalition government to the brink of collapse is likely to cast a shadow on the proceedings, though it was expected that the opposition BJP would corner the government on a host of issues including drought management, the cabinets decision to sell 3,667 acres to JSW Steel at Ballari and the alleged IMA group ponzi scam.
With
16
of
the
ruling
coalition
MLAs
resigning,
the
BJP
has
demanded
Kumaraswamy's
resignation,
stating
that
his
government
has
lost
majority.
The
BJP
has
even
petitioned
Governor
Vajubhai
Vala
seeking
his
intervention.
With 16 resignations yet to be accepted, all eyes are now on the Speaker, who has said he will take a decision only after examining whether they are "voluntary and genuine."
The
apex
court
earlier
in
the
day
asked
the
Speaker
to
decide
"forthwith"
about
the
resignation
of
10
rebel
MLAs,
allowing
them
to
meet
him
at
6
pm.
A
Bench
headed
by
Chief
Justice
Ranjan
Gogoi
said
the
decision
taken
by
the
Speaker
has
to
be
intimated
on
Friday
when
the
court
takes
up
the
plea
by
the
rebel
MLAs.
The
BJP
may
also
move
a
no-confidence
motion,
pushing
the
government
to
prove
its
majority
on
the
floor
of
the
House.
Karnataka: An uncomfortable coalition since day one and why the internal feud must be blamed
Yeddyurappa,
when
asked
about
moving
a
no-confidence
motion,
had
recently
said
his
party
will
take
a
decision
depending
on
the
political
situation
that
exists.
Meanwhile,
the
state
Cabinet
that
met
Thursday
amid
the
crisis,
resolved
to
face
the
situation
"bravely"
and
"withstand"
it
unitedly.
Expressing confidence that the government would survive, the cabinet that met under the leadership of Kumaraswamy said it was ready to face a no-confidence motion, if moved by the opposition BJP.
Putting up a brave front, Kumaraswamy Thursday rejected demands for his resignation. "Why should I resign? What is the necessity for me to resign now?" Kumaraswamy shot back to reporters here, amidst the speculation that he could put in his papers in the wake of the crisis.
Government's chief whip Ganesh Prakash Hukkeri has issued a whip asking all MLAs of the ruling parties to attend the session without fail everyday till it concludes and vote in favour of bills moved by the government, or face disqualification under the anti-defection law.
Passage of certain important bills including the crucial Finance bill also hangs in the balance with treasury benches not having adequate numbers in the House.
Responding to a question on the future of the finance bill during the assembly session from Friday, Minister Krishna Byre Gowda told reporters after the cabinet meeting: "Lets see what happens. Opposition has certain privileges and rights to discuss it and seek vote and even press for division. We will not try to override on it. We will give them (opposition) all the opportunity...we are even ready for a vote on it," he added.
Of the 16 MLAs who have resigned, 13 are from the Congress and three from the JD(S). The coalition's strength in the House is 116 (Congress 78, JD(S) 37 and BSP one), besides the speaker.
With the support of the two independents, who resigned from the ministry on Monday, the opposition BJP has 107 MLAs in the 224-member House, where the halfway mark is 113. If the resignations of the 16 MLAs are accepted, the ruling coalition's tally will be reduced to 100.