Karnataka crisis highlights: SC reserves order on rebel MLAs plea, verdict tomorrow
Karnataka MLA Resign, Karnataka Political Crisis Highlights: Since July 1, 16 Congress and JD(S) MLAs have submitted resignations — it means the coalition strength will fall to 101 compared to the BJP’s 105 plus two Independents in the 224-member House.
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy (left) with the former chief minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru. (File/PTI)
Karnataka Political Crisis: The Supreme Court has reserved its order for July 17 on the plea moved by Karnataka rebel MLAs. The verdict will be pronounced at 10.30 tomorrow. Meanwhile,Speaker K R Ramesh – at the centre of the political crisis – also sought time till tomorrow to decide on the disqualification and resignation of the rebel MLAs.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi is first dealing with the pleas of 10 lawmakers against the Karnataka Speaker for not accepting their resignations. It also heard arguments of five more lawmakers who alleged that they “are being forced to support the government on the threat of disqualification”. The Chief Minister’s counsel told the court that the dissident “MLAs were hunting in pack to destabilise the government.” The ten rebel Karnataka MLAs told the apex court that the Speaker was coercing them to vote for the Kumaraswamy government by not accepting their resignations.
Live Blog
The Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on the petitions of 15 rebel MLAs' against the Karnataka Speaker tomorrow. Read highlights
Yeddyurappa plays cricket with BJP workers
BJP Karnataka President, BS Yeddyurappa played cricket with BJP MLAs at Ramada hotel in Bengaluru, earlier today. (ANI)
Congress MLAs shifted at a resort ahead of trust vote
Congress MLAs arrive at a resort ahead of the trust vote. Congress MLAs shifted to Windflower Prakruthi Resort, Devanahalli from Taj Yeshwantpur hotel on Tuesday. CM Kumaraswamy’s confidence motion through which he will seek to prove his majority will be taken up on July 18.
Verdict tomorrow, SC completes hearing
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi concluded the hearings of the rebel MLAs, the Speaker and Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. Summing up the arguments, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the 15 MLAs, asked the bench to continue with its interim order directing the Speaker to maintain status quo on the issue of resignations and disqualification of the MLAs. The counsel for the rebel MLAs also asked the bench that if the House assembles for business the 15 rebel MLAs be exempted from appearing on the basis of the whip of the ruling coalition which, he said, has been reduced to a minority government.
SC reserves order, verdict at 10.30 am tomorrow
Supreme Court reserves order on the plea of Karnataka rebel MLAs. Order to be pronounced at 10.30 am tomorrow.
My fundamental right to resign frustrated by Karnataka Speaker: Rohatgi
This Court can interfere only after the decision is made; judicial review can't be exercised before Speaker takes the decision, Dhavan tells SC. Meanwhile, Rohatgi representing MLas said "My fundamental right to resign frustrated by Karnataka Speaker acting in mala fide, partisan manner."
SC shouldn't have entertained the petition of the rebel MLAs
The Supreme Court shouldn't have entertained the petition of the rebel MLAs, when the resignation process is not in order, the court cannot direct Speaker to decide on it by 6 pm, Kumaraswamy tells the court as the hearing continues.
Rebel MLAs hunting in pack to destabilise government: Kumaraswamy
Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy says rebel MLAs hunting in pack to destabilise government, they went to hotel together. Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan for Kumaraswamy says the Speaker can't be compelled to the decide issue in time bound manner. Kumaraswamy maintains that SC doesn't have jurisdiction to pass interim orders asking the Speaker to maintain status quo on MLAs resignation, disqualification. This is not Speaker vs Court; this is between CM and somebody who wants to become CM by bringing down govt, Dhavan tells the Court.
Arguments on behalf of Kumaraswamy begin
Arguments on behalf of rebel MLAs and Karnataka Speaker have now concluded. The court will now hear the the arguments on behalf of Chief Minister Kumaraswamy. While senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Mukul Rohatgi represented the Speaker and the MLAs respectively, Dr. Rajeev Dhavan will argue on Kumaraswamy's behalf
Speaker needs to 'decide now' on resignation of rebel MLAs: Rohatgi
The rebel MLAs told the court that the Speaker kept their resignation pending just to disqualify them and there was nothing wrong in resigning to escape disqualification. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the rebel MLAs, told the court that the disqualification proceedings were initiated for not being a disciplined soldier of the party and for not attending meetings outside the House.
The bench further asked if all the disqualification pleas are on same grounds, to which Rohatgi replied "more or less same". Rohatgi said that the rules say to 'decide now' on resignation. "How can the Speaker keep it pending?" he asked.
Bengaluru: Congress MLAs arrive at a resort ahead of trust vote
Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, Congress MLAs arrive at a resort ahead of the trust vote
How can the Speaker be directed to decide in a particular manner?: Singhvi
Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for the Speaker, submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi that nobody is saying that Speakers are not fallible but he cannot be asked to decide the matter in a time-bound manner. "How can the Speaker be directed to decide in a particular manner?" Singhvi asked the court. "Such orders are not passed even to a trial court," he said.
Bench rises for lunch, hearing to resume at 2 pm
Bench rises for lunch, hearing to resume at 2 pm
Karnataka Speaker requests time till tomorrow, says will decide on both the resignation and disqualification.
The Speaker has sought time till tomorrow to take a decision on both the resignation and disqualification.
Extent of jurisdiction depends on the kind of restraint that the court would like to impose on itself: CJI
Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi and the bench discussed if the SC has the power to interfere with Speakers powers. While Singhvi said that court does not have the jurisdiction to order a time-frame on the Speaker, the CJI argued that the extent of jurisdiction depends on "the kind of restraint that the court would like to impose on itself." "The court had jurisdiction to order a floor test in 24 hrs...because that was to your advantage? Court has jurisdiction to appoint protem Speaker? Last year we ordered Speaker to conduct a floor test in 24 hours. You did not object to it then because it went in your favour," the CJI said.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara along with Congress MLAs leave from a Bengaluru hotel
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara along with Congress MLAs leave from a Bengaluru hotel blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara along with Congress MLAs leaves from Taj Yeshwantpur. #Karnatakapic.twitter.com/BdKT6Do9eQ
What does he mean by telling the court that he will take his own time: CJI to Karnataka Speaker
CJI Ranjan Gogoi questioned why the Speaker can't decide about the resignations. "Why didn’t the Speaker decide on the disqualification when the MLAs appeared before him post court direction? What does he mean by telling the court that he will take his own time?"
Act of disqualification is the act of defiance of whip: Abhishek Manu Singhvi
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, on behalf for the Speaker, says: "Everything that Mukul Rohatgi has said is factually wrong. There is no valid resignation application before the disqualification petition. The act of disqualification is the act of defiance of the whip"
Resignations cannot be used to avoid disqualification: Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi
Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi questioned if the Speaker was unavailable for an appointment, resulting in the lawmakers to approached the court. Arguing for the Karnataka Speaker, senior advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi said no appointment was sought before the Speaker. "All applications for disqualification of the MLAs are prior to the resignations. How can they resign and get rid of disqualification?" he submitted
Nothing to show that the Karnataka rebel MLAs conspired with BJP: Rohatgi
Rohatgi told the court that the 10 MLAs resigned on July 6 and disqualification proceedings against two lawmakers were pending. "When was the disqualification proceedings filed against rest eight MLAs," the top court asked, to which Rohatgi responded that disqualification proceedings started against them on July 10.
Disqualification proceeding is mini-trial under the Constitution's 10th Schedule, Rohatgi said, adding that resignation is different and its acceptance is based on single criterion -- it is voluntary or not. There is nothing to show the rebel MLAs conspired with BJP, the senior advocate said.
Disqualification proceeding nothing but to scuttle resignation of MLAs: Rohatgi
“It is my fundamental right to do whatever I want to do and cannot be bound due to non-acceptance of resignation by the Speaker. It is irrelevant to question the intent behind resigning. The disqualification proceeding is nothing but to scuttle resignation of MLAs,” Rohatgi submitted
Will come to the floor test, resignation was internal: Ramalinga Reddy
Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy said he will come for the floor test tomorrow as his resignation was not accepted
Rebel Karnataka Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy: I went to see doctor, it got delayed. Speakers' office will call me, I will go today or tomorrow, whenever they call me. The reason of resignation was internal. I will have to come for the floor test, my resignation is not accepted. pic.twitter.com/1XtRuP63X3
Irrelevant to question why MLAs want to resign: Rohtagi
Arguing the case for the rebel MLAs, Rohatgi said it was completely irrelevant to question why the lawmakers want to resign. "By not deciding, you (Speaker) are compelling a man to act against his wishes," he told the court. He also added that it was absurd to demand proof when the MLAs have personally presented papers
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 pm
Meanwhile, proceedings in Rajya Sabha have been adjourned till 12 pm following protests by AIADMK leaders over the cancellation of postal dept exam. Follow Live updates on Parliament proceedings here
Who are the Karnataka MLAs who have approched the Supreme Court?
The 10 rebel MLAs, on whose petition the status quo was ordered, were -- Pratap Gouda Patil, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Byrati Basavaraj, B C Patil, S T Somashekhar, Arbail Shivaram Hebbar, Mahesh Kumathalli, K Gopalaiah, A H Vishwanath and Narayana Gowda.
he five MLAs, Anand Singh, K Sudhakar, N Nagaraj, Munirathna and Roshan Baig, mentioned their application before a bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta Monday seeking impleadment as parties to the pending plea on which it was ordered that the speaker would not take any decision till Tuesday on the resignations and disqualifications.
Roshan Baig's advocate files petition in High Court: Report
Roshan Baig's advocate has filed a petition in High Court questioning the detention of his client in connection with IMA case, reports news agency ANI. The Congress leader was detained at Bengaluru International Airport on Monday night by an SIT probing the multi-crore IMA Group ponzi scam. He was on his way to join a group of 13 rebel coalition MLAs who have been camping in Mumbai for the last 10 days.
Karnataka Speaker has to accept the resignation, no other option: Rohatgi in SC
Appearing for the rebel MLAs, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi said the Speaker will have to accept the resignations. "There is a vote of confidence in assembly and rebel MLAs may be forced to follow whip despite resigning. Can the MLAs be forced to attend the Assembly? Resignation once moved has to be decided on merits notwithstanding the pendency of disqualification proceeding," he said.
Welcome to The Indian Express' live blog. The Supreme Court has begun hearing the pleas of the rebel MLAs. Follow this space to track the latest news
The future of the Kumaraswamy government in Karnataka -- which is on the brink of collapse after mass resignations -- will be decided post the SC verdict.
Since July 1, 16 Congress and JD(S) MLAs have submitted resignations — it means the coalition strength will fall to 101 compared to the BJP’s 105 plus two Independents in the 224-member House. If the resignations are accepted, the 13-month-old Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka will lose the majority, paving the way for the BJP to stake claim to form the government
Last week, the Supreme Court had directed Karnataka Speaker to maintain status quo on the disqualification or resignation of the 10 MLAs till today.
The Karnataka Speaker had told the court that taking a decision on the rebel MLAs would take time. The court had asked for the Speaker's decision by Wednesday night last week. "There is no date to decide the acceptance of the resignations. If I am satisfied, I will accept and if I am not satisfied the consequences are known. I will go by procedures," he told the dissidents.
Meanwhile, the coalition got a new lease of life Monday when a vote of confidence was scheduled on July 18. With the BJP objecting to the conduct of regular proceedings of the Assembly without the government proving its majority, the Speaker also adjourned the house until Thursday.
Yeddyurappa plays cricket with BJP workers
BJP Karnataka President, BS Yeddyurappa played cricket with BJP MLAs at Ramada hotel in Bengaluru, earlier today. (ANI)
Congress MLAs shifted at a resort ahead of trust vote
Congress MLAs arrive at a resort ahead of the trust vote. Congress MLAs shifted to Windflower Prakruthi Resort, Devanahalli from Taj Yeshwantpur hotel on Tuesday. CM Kumaraswamy’s confidence motion through which he will seek to prove his majority will be taken up on July 18.
Verdict tomorrow, SC completes hearing
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi concluded the hearings of the rebel MLAs, the Speaker and Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy. Summing up the arguments, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the 15 MLAs, asked the bench to continue with its interim order directing the Speaker to maintain status quo on the issue of resignations and disqualification of the MLAs. The counsel for the rebel MLAs also asked the bench that if the House assembles for business the 15 rebel MLAs be exempted from appearing on the basis of the whip of the ruling coalition which, he said, has been reduced to a minority government.
SC reserves order, verdict at 10.30 am tomorrow
Supreme Court reserves order on the plea of Karnataka rebel MLAs. Order to be pronounced at 10.30 am tomorrow.
My fundamental right to resign frustrated by Karnataka Speaker: Rohatgi
This Court can interfere only after the decision is made; judicial review can't be exercised before Speaker takes the decision, Dhavan tells SC. Meanwhile, Rohatgi representing MLas said "My fundamental right to resign frustrated by Karnataka Speaker acting in mala fide, partisan manner."
SC shouldn't have entertained the petition of the rebel MLAs
The Supreme Court shouldn't have entertained the petition of the rebel MLAs, when the resignation process is not in order, the court cannot direct Speaker to decide on it by 6 pm, Kumaraswamy tells the court as the hearing continues.
Rebel MLAs hunting in pack to destabilise government: Kumaraswamy
Karnataka CM H D Kumaraswamy says rebel MLAs hunting in pack to destabilise government, they went to hotel together. Senior advocate Rajeev Dhavan for Kumaraswamy says the Speaker can't be compelled to the decide issue in time bound manner. Kumaraswamy maintains that SC doesn't have jurisdiction to pass interim orders asking the Speaker to maintain status quo on MLAs resignation, disqualification. This is not Speaker vs Court; this is between CM and somebody who wants to become CM by bringing down govt, Dhavan tells the Court.
Arguments on behalf of Kumaraswamy begin
Arguments on behalf of rebel MLAs and Karnataka Speaker have now concluded. The court will now hear the the arguments on behalf of Chief Minister Kumaraswamy. While senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Mukul Rohatgi represented the Speaker and the MLAs respectively, Dr. Rajeev Dhavan will argue on Kumaraswamy's behalf
Karnataka rebels MLAs' plea: Bench assembles, hearing resumes in Supreme Court
Bench assembles, hearing resumes in Supreme Court
Speaker needs to 'decide now' on resignation of rebel MLAs: Rohatgi
The rebel MLAs told the court that the Speaker kept their resignation pending just to disqualify them and there was nothing wrong in resigning to escape disqualification. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the rebel MLAs, told the court that the disqualification proceedings were initiated for not being a disciplined soldier of the party and for not attending meetings outside the House.
The bench further asked if all the disqualification pleas are on same grounds, to which Rohatgi replied "more or less same". Rohatgi said that the rules say to 'decide now' on resignation. "How can the Speaker keep it pending?" he asked.
Bengaluru: Congress MLAs arrive at a resort ahead of trust vote
Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, Congress MLAs arrive at a resort ahead of the trust vote
How can the Speaker be directed to decide in a particular manner?: Singhvi
Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for the Speaker, submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi that nobody is saying that Speakers are not fallible but he cannot be asked to decide the matter in a time-bound manner. "How can the Speaker be directed to decide in a particular manner?" Singhvi asked the court. "Such orders are not passed even to a trial court," he said.
Bench rises for lunch, hearing to resume at 2 pm
Bench rises for lunch, hearing to resume at 2 pm
Karnataka Speaker requests time till tomorrow, says will decide on both the resignation and disqualification.
The Speaker has sought time till tomorrow to take a decision on both the resignation and disqualification.
Extent of jurisdiction depends on the kind of restraint that the court would like to impose on itself: CJI
Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi and the bench discussed if the SC has the power to interfere with Speakers powers. While Singhvi said that court does not have the jurisdiction to order a time-frame on the Speaker, the CJI argued that the extent of jurisdiction depends on "the kind of restraint that the court would like to impose on itself." "The court had jurisdiction to order a floor test in 24 hrs...because that was to your advantage? Court has jurisdiction to appoint protem Speaker? Last year we ordered Speaker to conduct a floor test in 24 hours. You did not object to it then because it went in your favour," the CJI said.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara along with Congress MLAs leave from a Bengaluru hotel
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara along with Congress MLAs leave from a Bengaluru hotel blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara along with Congress MLAs leaves from Taj Yeshwantpur. #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/BdKT6Do9eQ
— ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2019
What does he mean by telling the court that he will take his own time: CJI to Karnataka Speaker
CJI Ranjan Gogoi questioned why the Speaker can't decide about the resignations. "Why didn’t the Speaker decide on the disqualification when the MLAs appeared before him post court direction? What does he mean by telling the court that he will take his own time?"
Act of disqualification is the act of defiance of whip: Abhishek Manu Singhvi
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, on behalf for the Speaker, says: "Everything that Mukul Rohatgi has said is factually wrong. There is no valid resignation application before the disqualification petition. The act of disqualification is the act of defiance of the whip"
Resignations cannot be used to avoid disqualification: Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi
Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi questioned if the Speaker was unavailable for an appointment, resulting in the lawmakers to approached the court. Arguing for the Karnataka Speaker, senior advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi said no appointment was sought before the Speaker. "All applications for disqualification of the MLAs are prior to the resignations. How can they resign and get rid of disqualification?" he submitted
Nothing to show that the Karnataka rebel MLAs conspired with BJP: Rohatgi
Rohatgi told the court that the 10 MLAs resigned on July 6 and disqualification proceedings against two lawmakers were pending. "When was the disqualification proceedings filed against rest eight MLAs," the top court asked, to which Rohatgi responded that disqualification proceedings started against them on July 10.
Disqualification proceeding is mini-trial under the Constitution's 10th Schedule, Rohatgi said, adding that resignation is different and its acceptance is based on single criterion -- it is voluntary or not. There is nothing to show the rebel MLAs conspired with BJP, the senior advocate said.
Disqualification proceeding nothing but to scuttle resignation of MLAs: Rohatgi
“It is my fundamental right to do whatever I want to do and cannot be bound due to non-acceptance of resignation by the Speaker. It is irrelevant to question the intent behind resigning. The disqualification proceeding is nothing but to scuttle resignation of MLAs,” Rohatgi submitted
Will come to the floor test, resignation was internal: Ramalinga Reddy
Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy said he will come for the floor test tomorrow as his resignation was not accepted
Irrelevant to question why MLAs want to resign: Rohtagi
Arguing the case for the rebel MLAs, Rohatgi said it was completely irrelevant to question why the lawmakers want to resign. "By not deciding, you (Speaker) are compelling a man to act against his wishes," he told the court. He also added that it was absurd to demand proof when the MLAs have personally presented papers
Rajya Sabha adjourned till 12 pm
Meanwhile, proceedings in Rajya Sabha have been adjourned till 12 pm following protests by AIADMK leaders over the cancellation of postal dept
exam. Follow Live updates on Parliament proceedings here
Who are the Karnataka MLAs who have approched the Supreme Court?
The 10 rebel MLAs, on whose petition the status quo was ordered, were -- Pratap Gouda Patil, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Byrati Basavaraj, B C Patil, S T Somashekhar, Arbail Shivaram Hebbar, Mahesh Kumathalli, K Gopalaiah, A H Vishwanath and Narayana Gowda.
he five MLAs, Anand Singh, K Sudhakar, N Nagaraj, Munirathna and Roshan Baig, mentioned their application before a bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Deepak Gupta Monday seeking impleadment as parties to the pending plea on which it was ordered that the speaker would not take any decision till Tuesday on the resignations and disqualifications.
Roshan Baig's advocate files petition in High Court: Report
Roshan Baig's advocate has filed a petition in High Court questioning the detention of his client in connection with IMA case, reports news agency ANI. The Congress leader was detained at Bengaluru International Airport on Monday night by an SIT probing the multi-crore IMA Group ponzi scam. He was on his way to join a group of 13 rebel coalition MLAs who have been camping in Mumbai for the last 10 days.
Karnataka Speaker has to accept the resignation, no other option: Rohatgi in SC
Appearing for the rebel MLAs, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi said the Speaker will have to accept the resignations. "There is a vote of confidence in assembly and rebel MLAs may be forced to follow whip despite resigning. Can the MLAs be forced to attend the Assembly? Resignation once moved has to be decided on merits notwithstanding the pendency of disqualification proceeding," he said.
Welcome to The Indian Express' live blog. The Supreme Court has begun hearing the pleas of the rebel MLAs. Follow this space to track the latest news