HC requests Speaker to decide on 7 JD(S) MLAs

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday requested the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly to inform the court as to when he will pass orders on the petition seeking disqualificatin of seven rebel JD(S) MLAs.

The court asked the Speaker to inform them about his decision by Wednesday or Thursday noon. In the afternoon, when the court sought to know as to when the Speaker will pronounce his orders, Advocate General Madhusudan Naik submitted that he will inform the court about the Speaker's decision on Wednesday afternoon.

Biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha are slated to be held on March 23 where all three major political parties - Congress, BJP and the JD(S) - have fielded four candidates for three seats. The Congress is banking on votes from rebel JD(S) MLAs to ensure victory of its third candidate.

Justice Raghavendra Chauhan was hearing a petition filed by JD(S) MLAs C N Balakrishna from Shravanabelagola and B B Ningaiah from Mudigere (SC reserved) Assembly constituency, who have moved the court against seven of its rebel MLAs - B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan, N Cheluvarayaswamy, A B Ramesh Bandisiddegowda, H C Balakrishna, Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy R, Iqbal Ansari and S Bheema Naik - seeking directions for their disqualification under the Anti-Defection law.

As an interim prayer, the petitioners have sought directions from the court to the Speaker not to permit them to cast votes in the ensuing election for the Rajya Sabha.

The judge orally observed that the Speaker is well aware of the political undercurrents in the state. He further stated that it is in the interest of the state and the public that the court requests the Speaker to inform the court about his decision. "We want to send the best people to the Rajya Sabha," the judge orally observed.

Justice Chauhan further said that he is using the word 'request' and not 'direct' as he believes that a Speaker is a person whose stature is equal to that of the judiciary.