as a stricture against the Assembly Speaker and the Chief Minister of the state. The apex court Friday had quashed the Speaker’s decision to disqualify rebel BJP MLAs. After a meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, which he described as courtesy call, the Governor said the judgment reversing the High Court verdict on this issue as an endorsement of his stand that the floor test should be taken on the respective strength of the parties in the Assembly.
The Governor refused to comment on whether he would advice for seeking a trust vote to the Karnataka Government. He said he would first study the case and then write to the state government.
Meanwhile, the Congress today charged the BJP with orchestrating constitutional conspiracy in Karnataka. Party Spokesman Manish Tewari told media here that the BJP has converted the minority government into a manufactured majority in the State.
Opposition parties in Karnataka have sought resignation of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Speaker K G Boppaiah following Supreme Court verdict on disqualified MLAs. The Chief Minister however has said that MLAs who have retained their Assembly membership due to court order would continue in BJP and his government would complete its tenure.
The Opposition is banking upon Governor to act against the Government and is targeting the Speaker. The session to be scheduled from Monday is yet to receive nod from the Governor. BJP has the support of 109 MLAs. With one vacant seat in the Assembly, BJP needs 112 MLAs to gain majority. Hence the decision taken by the rebel BJP MLAs who survived anti-defection law provisions, would play a crucial role in deciding the fate of the Government, when the session begins