Karnataka Floor Test LIVE: Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander, Says Kapil Sibal as Parties Trade Charges Before Trust Vote

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kapil Sibal says, "Modi ji always says 'na khaoga na khaane dunga' (PM's popular phrase to end corruption), but he has never said 'na khareedunga, na khareedne dunga' (will neither buy nor let others buy)." The remark comes amid allegeations that BJP is "trying to MLAs" to prove majority in Karnataka Assembly during floor test. 

"We asked the Supreme Court to change the pro tem speaker but apex court said that they will have to give a notice first and for that the floor test in Karnataka had to be postponed. Hence, it was decided that to live telecast the trust vote in the Karnataka Assembly because we did not want the process to be delayed. And we are happy that the proceedings will be transparent," senior Congress leader and advocate Kapil Sibal says, adding 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar' (who wins shall be the king)

Visuals of BJP MLA B Sriramulu and chief minister B S Yeddyurappa inside Vidhana Soudha ahead of floor test in Karnataka Assembly, which will be held at 4 pm.

Visuals of BJP MLA B Sriramulu & CM BS Yeddyurappa inside Vidhana Soudha ahead of #FloorTest which will be held at 4 pm. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/rUbxCtVqrr

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2018

After winning Karnataka election, B Sriramulu and Yeddyurappa have resigned from Lok Sabha, their resignations have been accepted by pro tem Speaker K G Bopaiah.

After winning assembly elections, B Sriramulu & BS Yeddyurappa have resigned from Lok Sabha, their resignations have been accepted by the Speaker. (file pics) #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/085VcK6jwv

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2018

The Supreme Court also ordered the live telecast of Assembly proceedings to ensure "transparency" and "solve all problems". As the hearing concluded, Justice Sikri expressed his desire to let the court enjoy the summer holidays.

Will Cross Voting Happen Today in Karnataka Assembly? | Also, the other plan is to ensure that at least seven MLAs cross vote in BJP's favour. The specially called assembly session begins at 11 am when the newly-elected MLAs would be administered oath by Bopaiah. Voting will happen on the motion moved the chief minister through the process of head count, where row by row counting of votes of those supporting and opposing the motion will take place. In their plea before the apex court filed last night, the combine has termed as "brazenly unconstitutional" the action of the governor in appointing "a junior MLA" as the pro tem speaker. The application also seeks certain urgent directions to ensure that the floor test is conducted in a fair and transparent manner. The Supreme Court in 2011 had quashed Bopaiah's decision as assembly speaker to disqualify 16 MLAs ahead of the no confidence motion which had ensured survival of the then Yeddyurappa government.  

How Things Got Complicated After Karnataka Election | Elections held on May 12 to 222 of the 224 constituencies in the state threw up a hung assembly with the BJP emerging as the single largest party having 104 MLAs, seven short of the half mark of 111, while the Congress won 78 seats and JD(S) 37. Yeddurappa was sworn in as chief minister on May 17, two days after the results were declared, after the governor accepted his claim to form the government. The decision was challenged in the Supreme Court by the Congress and the JDS and passing interim orders on their petition, the court yesterday directed that the floor test be conducted today. Striking a post-poll alliance, the combine has claimed the support of 117 MLAs, including one each from the BSP and the KPJP and one Independent. As JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy has won in 2 seats, the combined strength of Congress and JD(S) MLA's while voting at the floor test is expected to stand at 117. However, two Congress MLAs Anand Singh and  Pratapgouda Patil reportedly went incommunicado, causing some worry to the grand old party. On the other hand, Yeddyurappa has asserted that he has "100 per cent confidence" that he would prove his majority. With the BJP having only 104 MLAs, it remains to be seen how the party will rustle up the numbers and prove majority.  Reports suggested that the BJP has reached out to the Congress and JD(S) MLAs, who are unhappy over coming together of their parties for power, to abstain from attending the House today.

Stage Set for BJP Govt's Floor Test in Karnataka Assembly | It will all be a game of numbers in the Karnataka Assembly today, where the three-day-old Yeddyurappa government will face the critical floor test. The trial of strength to decide the fate of the BJP government is scheduled at 4 pm after a Supreme Court order drastically reduced the 15 days' time given by Governor Vajubhai Vala to Yeddyurappa to prove his majority. The Supreme Court at 10.30 am today commenced the crucial hearing on Congress-JD(S) combine's petition challenging the governor's decision to appoint BJP MLA K G Bopaiah as pro tem speaker for holding the floor test  for Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to prove his majority in the House. The combine contended it was contrary to the tradition of choosing the senior-most legislator for the post. A four-time MLA, Bopaiah was the Karnataka Assembly speaker from 2009 to 2013 and had disqualified 16 MLAs and bailed out the then B S Yeddyurappa government ahead of a no-confidence vote in 2010. The Congress and JD(S) MLAs who were camping at a hotel in Hyderabad fearing alleged attempts of poaching by the BJP came back to the city this morning. As per the directions of the apex court, the police have made massive security arrangements in and around the Vidhana Soudha, the seat of state legislature, for the smooth conduct of the floor test. Public entry to the Vidhana Soudha has been restricted and officials and staff of the Secretariat are being allowed to enter the premises after thorough checks.

'Missing' Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Pratap Patil not present in the Karnataka Assembly

#BREAKING -- #KarnatakaFloorTest: Missing Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Pratap Patil not present in the Karnataka Assembly | @Zakka_Jacob with more details

LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/Z2DuDAu67v pic.twitter.com/7WojFfbNMe

— News18 (@CNNnews18) May 19, 2018

Congress releases audio of Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa's son Vijayendra offering money and berth to Congress MLAs. Says offered Rs 5 crore cash plus a cabinet berth. A day ago also, Congress had released a sensational audio clip in which mining baron Janardhana Reddy can be heard trying to lure a Congress MLA by offering to make him a minister so that he “can make 100 times more money”. In the audio clip, Reddy, who is close to BS Yeddyurappa, speaks to Raichur Rural MLA Basangouda Daddal, a prominent leader of the Valmiki community. Daddal was previously a member of the Badavara Shramikara Raithara (BSR) Congress, the party floated by Reddy aide B Sriramulu in 2011 after the split in BJP over the mining scam.

Pro tem speaker has said the trust vote will take place either through a show of hand, headcount or a voice vote.

#KarnatakaFloorTest -- Pro tem speaker has said the trust vote will take place either through a show of hand, headcount or a voice vote; @deepab18 reports

LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/Z2DuDAu67v pic.twitter.com/NUCyDexqZ4

— News18 (@CNNnews18) May 19, 2018

SC Orders Live Telecast of Karnataka Assembly Floor Test |  The Supreme Court today ordered live streaming of the floor test at Karnataka Assembly for Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa to prove his majority in the House. "Live broadcast of floor test will be the best possible way to ensure transparency in the proceedings,"a bench comprising justices A K Sikri, S A Bobde and Ashok Bhushan said. The bench said secretary of the Legislative Assembly will record the proceedings of the House. It said that several local channels will be provided the live feed of the proceedings so that they can also be in a position to telecast simultaneously. The bench termed as "fair" the suggestion of Karnataka governor's counsel that the floor test be telecast live. 

Siddaramaiah said all the 78 legislators of the party and two Independent MLAs were with them. However, he alleged that Anand Singh had been

"The SC heard the pleas of the Congress, all their pleas have been rejected. The desperate attempts of Congress to remove him from post has failed. I think they are scared & did not even want a floor test in the first place," says Mukul Rohatgi.

The SC heard the pleas of the Congress, all their pleas have been rejected. The desperate attempts of Congress to remove him from post has failed. I think they are scared & did not even want a floor test in the first place: Mukul Rohatgi #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/llWp9UOJhE

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2018

As legislators take oath in Karnataka Assembly, MLAs Anand Singh and Pratap Gouda are not present here. Congress leader Siddaramiah had said earlier that its MLA Anand Singh was “abducted” by the BJP and taken to Delhi. Former home minister Ramalinga Reddy alleged that BJP leaders have been calling the MLAs incessantly to try to bribe them.

Congress MLA from Doddaballapur, T Venkataramanaiah, posts on Facebook that he will die but not quit Congress as suspense over legislators Anand Singh and Pratap Gouda Patil continue.

"Most important objective was to establish transparency. Since the statement has come from ASG that live feed of proceedings would be given, we hope & trust there would be fairness. I have no doubt that the victory would be of Congress & JD(S)," says Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

Most important objective was to establish transparency. Since the statement has come from ASG that live feed of proceedings would be given, we hope & trust there would be fairness. I have no doubt that the victory would be of Congress & JD(S): Abhishek Manu Singhvi #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/bIBCybpRxQ

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2018

News18's legal editor Utkasrh Anand tweets live from the Supreme Court as it turns down Congress-JD(S) combine’s plea challenging Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to appoint KG Bopaiah as the pro tem Speaker to conduct the crucial floor test. 

How SC answered this today:

1) Can't quash appointment without hearing Bopaih & that would delay #KarnatakaFloorTest

2) SC can't order #Governor to appoint another Protem speaker

3) Won't lay down how should MLAs vote

4) Trust vote shall be live telecast https://t.co/EaH4xlJgd8

— Utkarsh Anand (@utkarsh_aanand) May 19, 2018

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and former chief minister Siddaramaiah take oath as MLAs at Karnataka Assembly ahead of crucial floor test.

CM BS Yeddyurappa & Siddaramaiah take oath as MLAs at Vidhana Soudha. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/WpqdEuT5OW

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2018

After Supreme Court turned down Congress's plea against pro-tem Speaker K G Bopaiah, Abhishek Manu Singhvi says, "Hope we don't have to come back on Sunday again." To which Justice Sikri replies, "That's what we (judges) were also talking about."

AM Singhvi in #KarnatakaFloorTest : O hope we don't have to come back on Sunday again.

Justice Sikri: That's what we (judges) were also talking about.

— Utkarsh Anand (@utkarsh_aanand) May 19, 2018

News18 Legal Editor Utkarsh Anand Tweets Live on the SC Hearing | No other item on the agenda shall be taken up during the Karnataka Assembly floor test. Secretary General of the Assembly to ensure smooth proceedings.

Rohatgi to Justice Sikri: Please switch on the mike to do care order

Sikri J tries to switch on..it is not working now.

Sibal: Politicians should learn from this Court

Sikri J: But we are not politicians

— Utkarsh Anand (@utkarsh_aanand) May 19, 2018

Supreme Court asks to run Karnataka Assembly floor test at 4 pm, says K G Bopaiah will remain the Pro-tem speaker. The floor test in Karnataka will be telecasted Live by various channels.

Karnataka pro-tem speaker KG Bopaiah at Vidhan Soudha ahead of Karnataka Assembly floor test to be held at 4 pm today.

#Karnataka pro tem speaker KG Bopaiah at Vidhan Soudha. #FloorTest to be held at 4 pm today. pic.twitter.com/IKqVR750Ez

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2018

With political parties running to Supreme Court ever since Yeddyurappa took oath as Karnataka chief minister despite a factured mandate after Karnataka election, the judges also seem to be on their toes. They even heard the matter in a rare pre-dawn hearing. In the wake of a busy week and the Supreme Court about to break for summer vacation in two days (From May 21 to June end. Court will now repoen on July 2), Justice AK Sikri says, "Now, let us enjoy our holiday." 

As MLAs gear up to take oath in Karnataka Assembly after the playing of 'Vande Mataram', Additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta says in New Delhi that floor test be live telecast. "This is fair. What more should be done? That solves all problems. There can't be more transparency," says Supreme Court.

"We granted midnight hearing because we wanted to hear B S Yeddyurappa, but now you want the Pro-tem speaks to go. How can we appoint the Pro-tem speaker? It can't be the law to direct the Governor to appoint somebody as Pro-tem speaker. Senior most member can't even be called as a convention because there have been other examples too. And then this convention hasn't even been given legal sanctity," says Supreme Court.

Hearing the matter over Karnataka governor Vajubhai Vala's deicison to appoint K G Bopaiah as pro-tem Speaker for crucial Karnataka Assembly floor test, Supreme Court tells Congress-JD(S) advocate Kapil Sibal, "We can't pass an order against Bopaiah without hearing him. You are in a zone of contradiction. You want to militate against the pro-tem speaker but not willing to give him time to respond. We will hear you but then floor test will have to be delayed."

K G Bopaiah ​was rapped for the malafide and the Supreme Court came down heavily upon him for manipulating the majority in favour of B SYeddyurappa, argues Sibal asking to dismiss Bopaiah as Pro-tem speaker. Supreme Court says it will have to issue a notice to pro-tem Speaker and postpone floor test if Bopaiah's appointment is to be examined. Sibal says Bopaiah can be restrained from conducting the floor test, which can be done today.

Legislators and pro-tem Speaker K G Bopaiah in Vidhana Soudha ahead of Karnataka assembly floor test at 4 pm today.

Bengaluru: Inside visuals of Vidhana Soudha. #FloorTest to be held at 4 pm today. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/Eegmv3DCng

— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2018

Kapil Sibal reads out Supreme Court 2011 judgment criticising K G Bopaiah's role as Pro-Tem speaker. Considered close to Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Bopaiah had disqualified 11 disgruntled BJP and five independent MLAs ahead of a trust vote to help the Yeddyurappa government in 2011.His decision was upheld by the Karnataka High Court but overturned by the Supreme Court, which said Bopaiah had acted in haste.