'Lost majority’: Governor sets 1.30 pm deadline to Karnataka coalition govt

Bengaluru, July 18: Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala has directed chief minister H D Kumaraswamy to prove majority on the floor of the Assembly by the way of trust vote by 1:30 pm on Friday.

"The fact that 15 members have met me and tendered their resignations and coupled with 2 members have withdrawn their support and other attendant circumstances do prima facie indicate that you have lost majority/confidence of the House," Governor Vajubhai Vala wrote to Kumaraswamy.

"However, it has been reported to me that the proceedings of the house on 18-07-2019 for vote of confidence has been stalled and consequently adjourned without reaching any finality. This cannot go on in a democratic set up governed by the Constitution of India," the governor said.

This is the Governor's second letter on the trust vote. Earlier in the day, the BJP had approached Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala, seeking his intervention and alleging "delaying tactics" by the Congress and the JD(S).

The governor then sent a letter to Speaker Ramesh Kumar, stating that he hoped the vote of confidence proceedings would be completed by the end of day.

"I appeal to you to ensure that the vote of confidence is tested today," he wrote.

However, the ruling coalition alleged that this was a clear example of the governor's interference in the legislature.

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy moved the motion for a trust vote and, in his speech, accused the BJP of trying to put hurdles before his government, almost the entire day passed without the floor test happening.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court left it to the speaker to decide on the resignations of the rebel lawmakers. At the same time, the court said they cannot be forced to attend the assembly, which blunts the threat of disqualification.

The rebel lawmakers camping in Mumbai said there was no question of stepping back on their resignations or attending the session. However, Congress's Ramalinga Reddy said he would withdraw his resignation.

Sixteen legislators 13 from the Congress and three from JDS - have resigned in the last two weeks, while two independent legislators have withdrawn their support to the coalition government.