Speaker to decide on rebel Karnataka MLAs' resignations but lawmakers can't be forced: SC
New Delhi, July 17 (IBNS): In an apparent balanced judgement, the Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar's independence in taking his call on rebel Congress-Janata Dal Secular MLAs' resignations but also stated the lawmakers can't be forced to attend the assembly.
As a result, all eyes will certainly be on Thursday's trust vote which will decide whether JDS' HD Kumaraswamy, who had surprisingly assumed the Chief Minister's post last year, can continue to lead the state.
The trust vote was, however, sought by Kumaraswamy himself.
Karnataka drama in courtroom
Sixteen rebel ruling Congress and JDS MLAs have submitted their resignation to Kumar. After the Speaker did not accept their resignations, few of the rebel MLAs had approached the Supreme Court which had directed them to submit the resignation letters to Kumar for the second time.
Two independent MLAs have also withdrawn their support to the Kumaraswamy government.
The top court, however, last week asked the Speaker to maintain the status quo till Tuesday.
Congress confident after Supreme Court verdict
Despite facing a crisis in the southern state, the Congress after the Supreme Court's Wednesday verdict posed confident.
In its official Twitter handle, the Karnataka Congress said: "Operation lotus will fail. The truth is victory."
Number game in Karnataka assembly
If the resignations of the rebel and independent MLAs are accepted, the Congress-JDS will become a minority government, enabling the BJP, which has 105 seats, to assume power.
Along with the support of independent MLAs, the Congress-JDS had 118 lawmakers in their favour in the 224-member House.
If the resignations of all rebel 16 MLAs are accepted, the majority mark will fall from 113 to 105.
No role in crisis, says BJP
The BJP, which has been accused of disturbing the Congress-JDS government in the state, denied any role behind the crisis.
However, former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP strongman, BS Yeedyurappa said Kumaraswamy has lost its mandate after the Supreme Court's Wednesday verdict.
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