Governor sets deadline as Karnataka coalition goes for Trust Vote

Bengaluru: Governor Vajubhai Vala stepped into fast-track the trust vote in the Karnataka assembly on Thursday evening. In a letter to CM HD Kumaraswamy, Vala directed him to prove his majority by 1.30 p.m. on the floor of the Assembly on Friday.

The decision was announced after Vala observed that the resignations of 15 MLAs of the ruling combine and the withdrawal of support by two independents indicated that Kumaraswamy has lost the confidence of the House.

“Prima facie you have lost majority”, Governor Vala’s letter read. This is the Governor’s second letter on the trust vote. His first to Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar earlier on Thursday had been ignored after members of the ruling Congress-Janata Dal Secular government.

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The ruling party leaders argued that the Governor’s message was an infringement on their rights. They also opposed the deadline he set for the Chief Minister. However, the Opposition BJP, which had petitioned the Governor against the “delay” in putting the confidence motion to vote, welcomed his directive.

In light of the Supreme Court direction a day earlier which barred the rebel MLAs from being compelled to attend the trust vote, the Speaker said he would consult legal experts such as the state Advocate General on the path ahead.