SC orders floor test on Saturday: 10 key highlights of the hearing

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the floor test to be held in the Karnataka assembly on Saturday, reducing the 15-day window given by Governor Vajubhai Vala to Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

Here are 10 key highlights from the hearing:

1. Mukul Rohatagi, senior counsel for the BJP, had wanted the floor test to be held on Monday. "Congress and JD(S) MLAs are locked up outside the state. They also have to come to vote. So give more time," Rohatgi pleaded. The Supreme Court, however, turned down BJP's request and ordered the floor test to be held at 4pm on Saturday, saying there were past precedents fixing such time period for the floor test.

4. The SC directed the Karnataka government and the governor not to nominate any MLA from the Anglo-Indian community to participate in the floor test tomorrow in response to the Congress-JD(S) combine moving court on the issue.

5. The top court asked the newly-elected Karnataka government not to take any major policy decision till the floor test is completed and it is able to prove its majority on the floor of the House. In response, Rohatgi said he would give an undertaking on this but asked the court to not dictate this particular order.

6. The SC ordered authorities, including the DGP, to ensure law and order outside the Karnataka assembly so that the floor test take place smoothly inside the House. It also turned down Yeddyurappa's request for a secret ballot during the floor test.

7. The court made it clear it will deal with the constitutionality of the Governor's letter inviting Yeddyurappa to form the government later. Ultimately the question is about majority which has to be proved through a floor test, the bench remarked.

8. The SC also said the protem speaker will decide all issues related to the floor test in accordance with the law. The court did not pass any order on the appointment of the protem speaker.

9. At the outset of the hearing, the court asked for the letters Yeddyurappa had sent to Governor Vajubhai Vala in which he staked claim to form the government in Karnataka. Rohatgi, on behalf of Yeddyurappa, placed these letter before the SC.

10. The apex court's order today was in response to a petition moved by the Congress-JDS combine challenging the governor's decision to invite the BJP to form government in Karnataka