AGENCIES / BENGALURU
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa today won trust vote in the Legislative Assembly. Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar declared that the Motion of Confidence moved by the Chief Minister has been passed by a voice vote. Later, the House passed the Appropriation Bill and Supplementary estimates for three months.
After concluding the day’s business, Speaker Ramesh Kumar tendered his resignation. Mr Kumar said, he has decided to relieve himself from the office of the Speaker. He handed over his resignation letter to Deputy Speaker Krishna Reddy.
K R Ramesh Kumar said during his 14-month long tenure as the Speaker, he worked according to his conscience and in accordance with the Constitution. Mr Kumar said, he has upheld the dignity of office to the best of his ability.
Earlier, opposing the Confidence Motion, Congress legislative party leader Siddaramaiah charged that Yeddyurappa has always formed government without full majority. He also doubted the longevity of the BJP Government in the state. Terming the motion as unethical, he asked the Government to work for the welfare of people.
Making his submission in the House, former Chief Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy took strong exception to the allegations made by Yediyuruppa that the administration had failed during the previous Government. Defending the programmes of his government, he added that as Chief Minister, he served the people honestly and responded to their plight.
In his response, Yediyurappa sought the cooperation of the Opposition and assured that he will provide administration that will earn people’s appreciation. AIR correspondent reports that the House functioned on the expected lines today taking up the trust vote without any lengthy discussion. Speaker Ramesh Kumar had appealed to the members to conclude the business at an earliest as he had to leave to Hyderabad to take part in the cremation ceremony of Jaipal Reddy who passed away yesterday.
Both Siddaramaiah and Kumaraswamy took this opportunity to criticise BJP and doubted the stability of the Yediyurappa government. They appreciated the action taken by Speaker in disqualifying rebel MLAs. The Speaker too noted that loopholes in the Anti defection law, Representation of people’s Act and Lokayukta Act must be plugged to strengthen democracy.