K\'taka crisis: Trust vote postponed to July 22, Yeddy says \'gross injustice\'

Bengaluru: Another dramatic day comes to an end with the Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly, KR Ramesh declaring the House adjourned for the day, and postponing all further discussions to Monday, July 22.

A flurry of activity happened all through the day, heated arguments from both the sides. CM Kumaraswamy still clinging onto his claim of BJP bribing ruling alliance MLAs to defect from the government and BJP state chief Yeddyurappa again approaching the state Governor for assistance in the matter and to try and have the floor test by the same day.

The Governor wrote a second letter to the Speaker, declaring a fresh deadline to make a decision by 6 pm, in reply to which Kumaraswamy immediately moved the Supreme Court. It was followed by more arguments and return arguments by both parties in the Assembly, much to the frustration of the Speaker till he finally declared that he cannot sit anymore and the discussion have been postponed till Monday.

Here's a blow by blow acount of all that happened in the Karnataka Assembly today:

08:27 pm: ‘Gross injustice’, says Karnataka BJP state President BS Yeddyurappa. BJP lawmakers says that the second deadline set by the Governor has not been respected. Coalition members jubilant after listening to the Speaker’s decision.

08:22 pm: Speaker postpones trust motion until Monday. Speaker KR Ramesh says he cannot sit any more. BJP leaders protest against Speaker’s order. Speaker says, ’Will end this on Monday with vote.’

08:16 pm: Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar back in his Chair. BS Yeddyurappa had demanded the Deputy Speaker request the Speaker to announce his decision.

08:08 pm: ‘Several first time MLAs are upset with the developments’: Nanje Gowda. The Malur MLA said, ‘The Kumaraswamy Government has waived farmers loans and built roads. Allow us to continue’. Din ensues in the Assembly. Coalition MLAs ask for postponement.

08:00 pm: Former CM Jagdish Shettar (BJP) asks the Speaker to announce his decision

Krishna B. Gowda (INC) asks the lawmakers to let the next speaker speak, while they wait for the Legislative Assembly Speaker’s arrival.

07:57 pm: BS Yeddyurappa, Karnataka BJP state president, stands up to speak

Ruckus takes over the House, but BS Yeddyurappa stresses that he is ready to sit peacefully and listen while asking every one at the same time to respect the letter sent by the Governor.

07:51 pm: ‘Bad friendship forged by the CM is impacting all of us today’: Congress Narayana Rao. The Basvakalyan lawmaker hints at the alliance the BJP-JD(S) formed in 2006.

07:43 pm: ‘There are hundreds in BJP waiting to back-stab Yeddyurappa’: Narayana Rao (Congress). The Congress MLA from Basvakalyan says that any leader, be it DK Shivakumar, or Yeddyurappa, cannot face hundred elections. He appeals to all the legislators, saying, “Don’t become a laughing stock in the eyes of voters.”

07:36 pm: ‘Appeal to PM, Home Minister to produce our 15 MLAs’: Narayan Rao (Congress). The Basvakalyan MLA also said that BJP has to realise that they cannot get a sweet tasting fruit if they plant a bad seed, quoting 12th century philosopher Basavanna. He also appeals political leaders to surround themselves with good people. He also asks MLAs to not insult the state by going to other states which gives out an impression that they are for sale.

07:32 pm: Deputy Speaker asks MLAs to go back to their seats. BJP leader Suresh Kumar asks if the ongoing ruckus is premeditated. Basvakalyan MLA Rao (Congress) begins to speak.

07:27 pm: Deputy Speaker M Krishna Reddy in the chair. The Deputy Speaker says the discussions will continue amidst the ruckus, as several coalition MLAs protest asking the House to be postponed until Monday. He asks Congress’ Narayana Rao to speak.

07:20 pm: ‘Come back, we’ll sit , sort out and work together’: Hebbalkar to rebel MLAs. The Belgaum MLA also said, ‘Even if the opposition come to power, you’ll not last for 6 months. People who have betrayed their own parties, how can they stay loyal to you?’

She also said, ‘Today people make fun of us saying Kar ‘nataka’. As a woman, want to say that the developments of the recent past has embarrassed all of us.’

07:15 pm: ‘PM said that 40 MLAs are in touch with him in Bengal’: L Hebbalkar(Congress). She says that BS Yeddyurappa has forgotten how he and Sriramulu swore to finish the BJP and built separate parties.

07:08 pm: Priyank Kharge (Congress) quotes the Sarkaria Commission report. He quotes the part of the report that cites the reasonable time period is 60 days.

07:01 pm: ‘Let it take however long it is going to take’: Yeddyurappa to Speaker.

The BJP state president said, ‘We respect you, speaker sir. The Governor’s last letter said that the vote should finish today. Today will go on till 12 am. I appeal to you, people on our side will sit peacefully till late in the night. Let it take however long and it will also mean that we can respect the Governor’s direction.’

06:52 pm: ‘Start voting only after the CM has spoken. Let’s finish this on Monday’: Former CM Siddaramaiah

Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said to the Speaker that the MLAs have the right to speak and even though the governor and the BJP want it finished today, no one can infringe on the rights of the members. He said that he too would want the vote to happen today but asked the Speaker if they could do it on Monday.

06:44 pm: ‘I reiterate that it needs to end today’: Speaker KR Ramesh. He asks the lawmakers who all are going to speak and how much time they will take.

Home Minister MB Patil raised the issue of MLA Shrimanth Patil. he said, ‘The police have taken a statement from his family and they have said he has gone voluntarily. Our police team that went to the hospital weren’t allowed to enter and the MLA also did not wish to meet them.’

06:35 pm: ‘They’re in captivity’: DK Shivakumar to Speaker on MLAs in Mumbai resort. Speaker KR Ramesh replies to DK Shivakumar, ‘I will not take this into cognisance.’

06:32 pm: ‘No MLA has sent a letter seeking protection’: Speaker

Speaker KR Ramesh said, ‘I don’t know if they’ve written to the government. If they have informed any member that they have stayed away from the house for security reasons then they are misleading people for their reasons.’

06:24 pm: ‘MLAs claimed that they have gone to Mumbai due to security problems’: Congress HK Patil

HK Patil requests that a senior official from the administration must go meet them. BJP lawmaker JC Madhuswamy says such matters do not concern the House. Ruckus among the MLAs in the House.

06:20 pm: ‘Come to a consensus within 7:30’: Speaker KR Ramesh to lawmakers. Speaker KR Ramesh sets a deadline for the lawmakers.

06:16 pm: ‘Please reconvene on Monday and let’s finish it then’: CM HD Kumaraswamy. Congress MLA MB Patil tells the Speaker that former PM Vajpayee’s floor test lasted 9 days. Eshwara Khandre, Cong MLA said that the whole world is watching how Operation Lotus is unfolding itself. He reiterates the need for discussion over the matter.

06:12 pm: ‘No, I have to face the world too’: Speaker KR Ramesh. Speaker KR Ramesh says, ‘Don’t embarrass me. Please let me know how many people will speak and how long it will take.’

BJP’s Suresh Kumar says that the trust vote need not be discussed like the Budget, and it should not stretch for 4-5 days.

05:30 pm: Karnataka Chief Minister, H D Kumaraswamy has moved the Supreme Court and challenged the Governor's letter which had asked him to complete the trust vote by 1.30 pm today.

04:41 pm: Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said in state Assembly, "I leave the decision on the floor test to you (the Speaker). It won't be directed by Delhi. I request you to protect me from the letter sent by the Governor."

04:38 pm: "I have received a second love letter," says Kumaraswamy in the assembly on governor's second missive.

CM HD Kumaraswamy: I have respect for the Governor. But the second love letter from the Governor has hurt me. He only came to know about horse trading 10 days ago?(Shows photos of BS Yeddyurappa's PA Santosh, reportedly boarding a plane with independent MLA H Nagesh) pic.twitter.com/VIcA4TUmeI

— ANI (@ANI) July 19, 2019

03:35 pm: Governor Vajubhai Vala has issued a fresh deadline again to the ruling coalition of Congress and JD(S) asking them to prove majority by today 6 pm. The deadline has been issued via a letter to CM HD Kumaraswamy.

03:27 pm: Karnataka Congress President Dinesh Gundu Rao has approached Supreme Court. Rao in his petition, claimed that the SC order(on rebel MLAs) had violated the party's right to issue whip to its MLAs.

"Political party has a constitutional right to issue whip and court can't restrict it," Karnataka Cong to SC.

03:22 pm: BJP's R Ashok said, "We have faith in Speaker that he will take right decision. Allegations made by Congress regarding horse trading are a bit bizarre. What fake righteousness is this? One wonders where these principles were when they cross voted during Rajya Sabha elections."

He also said, "Where were their principles when they backstabbed earlier coalitions? Who paid then for hotel stays, air fare, moving people here and there? Suddenly they are wailing about principles."

03:09 pm: "Kolar MLA Srinivas Gowda(JDS) alleged in the assembly that he was offered Rs 5 crore by BJP. We are moving a breach of privilege motion against him," BJP's Yeddyurappa said.

03:00 pm: Assembly resumes.

02:37 pm: Governor sends a report to the Centre: Karnataka’s Governor Vajubhai Vala has sent a report to Centre as CM misses trust vote deadline set at 1:30 pm for today, reported by Hindustan Times.

02:05 pm: Siddaramaiah on trust vote debate said, “The discussion is still not complete and 20 members are yet to participate. I don’t think it will finish today and it will continue on Monday also.”

01:40 pm: House adjourned till 3 pm

01:35 pm: Karnataka Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said, “Governor's order has to be followed or not, it has to be decided by Chief Minister because the letter was sent to him, so he has to decide.”

01:34 pm: After deadline passes, Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said that discussion should continue. He said unless the discussion is complete, you cannot press for division(of votes for floor test)

01:32 pm: Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's deadline ends. He had directed Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to hold a floor test by 1.30 pm today

01:10 pm: Speaker Ramesh Kumar said, “Congress MLA Shrimant Patil wrote letter to Governor saying 'I went to Chennai for personal work and felt chest pain. Visited hospital and on doctor suggestion I came to Mumbai and got admitted here. Hence couldn't attend assembly session, was not kidnapped by BJP'”

12:35 pm: Hitting out at BJP, Kumaraswamy said that legislators were offered Rs 40-50 crore to lure them; whose money is it?

JD(S) MLA Srinivas Gowda alleged that he was offered Rs 5 crore bribe by the BJP to defect to bring down government.

12:30 pm: Kumaraswamy asked why BJP was in hurry to end trust debate in one day if it was sure of its numbers. He also accused BJP of resorting to ways to circumvent the anti-defection law.

12:06 pm: During the debate on trust vote in the Assembly, Kumaraswamy said, “Right from the time JD(S)-Congress government came to power, an "atmosphere" was created to remove it. I have not tried to misuse power. After 14 months, ‘we have come to the final stage’.”

12:05 pm: “I’m still asking God why he made me chief minister at such a time under such circumstances. This is all about fate. I’ll see how long you (BJP) will last here after this effort you’ve put into coming to power,” CM Kumaraswamy said, targeting BJP in his speech before trust vote.

12:00 pm: “I had got an offer from somebody, and I was approached by Congress leaders. I didn’t go to them. If I wanted to hold on to the chair I’d have done so long ago. I have said many times that I’m a child of fortune. This seat isn’t important, but the future generations... Did our freedom fighters give us democracy to allow such activities?” CM Kumaraswamy said in the Assembly, with just one and half hour to go for the trust vote.

11:45 am: Taking a dig at BJP’s Yeddyurappa, Kumaraswamy said, “In 2009, there were floods in northern Karnataka. At that time we saw how people in the BJP spoke about Yeddyurappa, how many people went to resorts. What they experienced then, I am experiencing now.”

“Back then Yeddyurappa (who was CM) had pleaded with the BJP with folded hands saying he would change himself and to not remove him from the post. I will not plead with anybody for this post,” Kumaraswamy said.

11:30 am: Addressing the Karnataka Assembly ahead of the deadline for floor test, CM Kumaraswamy said, “Since this government was formed, the BJP kept claiming that this government was unstable. From day one they tried to topple it.”

“The question isn’t if Kumaraswamy will be chief minister or Yeddyurappa. If there is no change in the country we will be consigned to history,” he said.

11:15 am: Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said, “Those who hurl slurs at my character, look back at what your life has been. Anyone who knows me knows I don't have lakhs of money stashed up like others. I have enough strength to take a non partisan decision despite such slurs.”

Photo: ANI | Twitter

11:12 am: The Assembly Session resumes.

11:10 am: Mysuru: BJP Karnataka MP, Shobha Karandlaje climbs 1001 steps of Sri Chamundeshwari Devi Temple to pray for BS Yeddyurappa to become the next Chief Minister of the state.

10:30 am: Maharashtra: Karnataka Police accompanied by Mumbai Police arrive at St. George Hospital, where Karnataka Congress MLA Shrimant Patil is admitted.

10:15 am: Karnataka Congress MP, Nasir Hussain: “I think the Congress party will go to Supreme Court because Governor cannot interfere in the matter of Speaker, he has no right to do it. Governor is arbitrarily interfering and trying to work as agent of a party.”

09:45 am: Karnataka BJP MLAs to hold a meeting with State BJP President, BS Yeddyurappa before the commencement of today's Assembly session.

09:28 am: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara meets BJP MLAs who were on an over-night 'dharna' at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.

09:23 am: Karnataka Deputy CM G Parameshwara said, “They (BJP MLAs) were on an over- night dharna at Vidhana Soudha. It's our duty to arrange food and other things for them. Some of them have diabetes and BP, that's why we arranged everything here. Beyond politics we're friends, it's the beauty of democracy.”

Photo: ANI | Twitter

09:05 am: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara eating breakfast with BJP MLA Suresh Kumar at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.

Photo: ANI | Twitter

07:00 am: Karnataka BJP legislators go for a morning walk. They were on an over night 'dharna' at Vidhana Soudha over their demand of floor test.

Photo: ANI | Twitter

As many as 16 MLAs -- 13 from the Congress and three from JD(S) -- have resigned, while independent MLAs R Shankar and H Nagesh have withdrawn their support to the coalition government, putting the Kumaraswamy-led government in jitters.

The ruling coalition's strength in the House is 117-- Congress 78, JD(S) 37, BSP 1, and nominated 1, besides the Speaker. With the support of the two independents, the opposition BJP has 107 MLAs in the 225-member House, including the nominated MLA and Speaker.

If the resignations of the 15 MLAs (12 from Congress and 3 from JDS) are accepted, the ruling coalition's tally will plummet to 101, (excluding speaker) reducing the 14 month-old Kumaraswamy government to a minority.