New Delhi: As Karnataka has thrown up a hung Assembly, all eyes are now on Raj Bhavan over what decision governor Vajubhai Vala takes regarding government formation in the state during the next few days.
Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala, whose role is in focus after the polls threw up a hung Assembly in the southern state, had once vacated his Assembly seat in Gujarat to enable the then first time chief minister Narendra Modi to contest his maiden election in 2001.
Given the controversies generated by the decisions taken by governors after both Goa and Manipur had thrown up hung Assemblies last year (where despite emerging as the single largest party, the Congress was not invited by the governors, and the BJP with the help of allies formed the governments in both states), it would be interesting to see what transpires in the next 24 to 48 hours in Bengaluru.
As per the Sarkaria Commission’s recommendations the governor can invite an alliance of parties that was formed prior to the elections.
Second, the governor can invite the single largest party which stakes a claim to form the government with the support of others. Third, the governor can invite a post-election coalition of parties, with all the partners in the coalition joining the government. Finally, the governor can invite a post-electoral alliance of parties.
According to the rules laid down by The Justice M.M. Punchhi Commission the governor should invite the leader of “a pre-poll alliance commanding the largest number” or the “largest single party” to form the government in case no party or pre-poll coalition has a clear majority.
