Karnataka Crisis: Governor writes to Speaker recommending Trust Vote take place today itself; BJP agrees, Congress-JDS say 'keep out'

In a major development amid the ongoing Floor Test debate in the Karnataka Assembly on Thursday, Governor Vajubhai Vala has asked Speaker Ramesh Kumar to consider holding the Trust Vote of the Kumaraswamy-led coalition government by the end of the day. In his message to the Speaker, the Governor has recommended that motion of confidence moved is in consideration at the house, with CM Kumaraswamy expecting to maintain the confidence of the house at all times. 

"This according to me, will uphold the highest traditions of democracy and parliamentary practice," said Speaker K R Ramesh reading the Governor's message in the house. 

This development has come after a delegation of Karnataka BJP leaders including Jagadish Shettar, Arvind Limbavali, Basavaraj Bommai, SR Vishwanath and N Ravikumar met the Governor and submitted a memorandum over the vote of confidence. Backing Governor's suggestion, Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa has also urged that the Trust Vote should happen today itself, expressing confidence over its victory. 

However contradicting BJP, Karnataka Congress MLA HK Patil said that Governor shall not interfere in the proceedings of the session as per the constitution.

Amid the debate, the Congress MLAs are protesting in the Karnataka Assembly with pictures of their party MLA Shrimant Patil, who had gone incommunicado earlier, He was later found to be admitted at a hospital in Mumbai. Speaking in the matter, the Congress has accused BJP of poaching its MLAs. 

While speaking on the floor of the House over the no-confidence motion debate, CM Kumaraswamy lashed out at the 15 rebel MLAs over false allegations against his stable government in the Supreme Court during the hearing on Wednesday. Congress rebel, Ramalinga Reddy, who had earlier resigned, was present in the house for the Trust Vote. The 14-months old Congress-JD(S) coalition government is on the verge of collapse if the floor test happens today following the debate.

Here are the numbers at present:

• BJP - 105 MLAs
• Congress-JD(S) MLAs - 100 including Ramalinga Reddy 
• Speaker- 1
• Rebels MLAs- 15
• Independent- 2
• BSP MLA - 1

Votes currently present in the House:

• BJP - 105 MLAs
• Congress-JD(S) MLAs - 100 including Ramalinga Reddy 
• Speaker- 1
• Halfway mark: 103

Missing MLAs:

• Rebels MLAs- 15
• Independent- 2
• Congress MLAs - 2
• BSP MLA - 1

Meanwhile, as ordered by the Supreme Court on Wednesday in the rebel MLA vs the Assembly Speaker matter, Ramesh Kumar is yet to decide on the resignation/disqualification of the rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs. 

READ | Karnataka Crisis: SC Says Rebel MLAs Not To Be Compelled To Take Part In Assembly Proceedings, Speaker Free To Decide On Resignations As Per His Time-frame