Karnataka Crisis: MLAs to spend weekend in resorts as Kumaraswamy seeks trust vote
Bengaluru, July 12: Ahead of trust vote, resort politics is back in Karnataka as all three key players the Congress, JDS and opposition BJP herded their MLAs in luxury stays to keep their flock intact.
While the JDS chose the serene surroundings of Nandi Hill on the outskirts of Bengaluru, its partner Congress opted for a hotel in the state capital. The BJP MLAs, meanwhile, are staying in a resort near Yelahanka and an ultra-luxury hotel.
While several rebel MLAs have been staying in a Mumbai hotel since their resignations last Saturday, the Congress and JDS are keen to avoid any further erosion in their strength.
Will fix the date when he wants it: Speaker on Kumaraswamy wanting to take a trust vote
In a surprise move, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy announced he would seek a trust vote.
"The ongoing political developments, this confusion has been created due to the action of some MLAs. I am ready for everything. I am not here to stick on to power," he said.
Kumar
said
a
slot
would
be
allotted
whenever
the
chief
minister
opted
for
it.
"The
chief
minister
has
spoken
his
mind
that
he
would
not
cling
to
power
amid
the
confusion.
He
said
he
will
seek
the
trust
of
the
House,"
he
said.
"Whenever
he
tells
me
that
he
wants
to
move
the
trust
motion,
the
very
next
day
I
will
put
it
in
the
business
of
the
day,"
he
added.
The ruling coalition's total strength is 116 (Congress-78, JD(S)-37 and BSP-1), besides the Speaker.
With
the
support
of
the
two
independents,
who
Monday
resigned
from
the
ministry,
the
BJP
has
107
MLAs
in
the
224-member
House,
where
the
half-way
mark
is
113.
If
the
resignations
of
the
16
MLAs
are
accepted,
the
coalition's
tally
will
be
reduced
to
100.