Vajubhai Patel, the Governor of Karnataka, on the 18th of July, wrote a second letter to H.D. Kumaraswamy, the Chief Minister of Karnataka and asked him to prove his majority by 1:30 P.M.
Mr. Patel said, “The fact that 15 members have met me and tendered their resignations and coupled with 2 members have withdrawn their support and other attendant circumstances do prima facie indicate that you have lost majority/confidence of the House.”
The Janata Dal Secular (JD[S,]) on the 18th of July, with arguments and debates, delayed the no confidence motion. They raised the issue of the absentee Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs,) due to which the no confidence motion was not possible.
As many as 20 lawmakers, including 17 belonging to the JD(S,) were not present during the Assembly session.
On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) insisted the no confidence motion be conducted immediately, as it was confident the Party will win the majority and gain power in the State.
However, the trust vote was postponed to the 19th of July, with the Governor ordering it be conducted by the deadline of 1:30 P.M.
The Governor did not intervene in the matter then, but when the no confidence motion was stalled, he said, “However, it has been reported to me that the proceedings of the house on the 18th of July, for vote of confidence has been stalled and consequently adjourned without reaching any finality. This cannot go on in a democratic set up governed by the Constitution of India.”
The floor test is expected to be held on the 19th of July, following which, it will be decided which of the two parties among the BJP and the alliance of the INC and the JD(S) will rule in Karnataka.
Stay tuned for further updates.
