In a dramatic turn of events, the Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa today sailed through the trial of strength.

His government won the Trust Vote amidst unprecedented chaos in the Assembly. This follows the Assembly Speaker’s action who disqualified 11 BJP dissident MLAs and 5 independent MLAs in the morning using the provision of Anti - Defection Act (the 10th Schedule). The CM arrived at Vidhana Soudha with heavy Police security at 9. 30 am while the Opposition members arrived a little earlier at 8. 45 am.

The House, which met at 10 am, passed the Confidence Motion, voting 106 to 0 in favour of the government. Speaker K. G. Bopaiah, who conducted the proceedings in three minutes, announced in the House that the motion of confidence moved by Yeddyurappa has been passed by Voice Vote.

The Karnataka Legislature, for the first time, witnessed unprecedented chaos. The situation seemed to be a “free for all” with the Opposition members throwing furniture while raising slogans against the Chief Minister and the Speaker. The agitated Opposition members were seen attacking the Marshals of the House and pushing around the Police personnel who had entered the House. Even more shocking was the sight of Congress MLA N. A. Harris and another member standing on the chair of the Speaker as he left after adjourning the House sine die.

Strip show:
While on one side, Marshals were being assaulted, on the other side, former Minister Goolihatti Shekhar, who infamously claimed he would commit suicide if removed from Ministership, was seen jumping on the table and tearing off his shirt and vest, after which he started screaming wildly.

No khaki:
Leader of Opposition Siddharamaiah indulged in a prolonged wordy duel with Police Commissioner Shankar Bidri for entering the House along with the Police personnel. Siddharamaiah screamed, "How can Police enter the House, that too wearing uniform?"
At one stage, the Opposition members chased Bidri and other officials out of the House. Siddharamaiah was seen leaving the House, condemning the Police presence in a loud voice.

We will complete our term: CM
Addressing media persons after the trust vote, Yeddyurappa said that the Opposition is now frustrated that it didn't have the numbers to pull down the government. The BJP has proved its majority and it will complete its term. He then said that a Cabinet reshuffle was also on the cards. He then went on to apologise to the media for the manner in which they were treated at the Assembly premises this morning. "An inquiry into the manhandling of media persons will be conducted and the guilty Police officials will be punished," the CM said.

We want a head - count: Siddu
Later addressing media persons, Siddharamaiah said they had more numbers than the BJP and want to show the Governor the same. "We want a head count to be taken," he said. The Congress leader alleged that Police Commissioner Shankar Bidri had stalled him from entering the Assembly. "In uniform and with a weapon he prevented me from getting into the House. We will seek the dismissal of the government," he said.

Recall Governor: BJP
The BJP, having won the controversial trust vote, has now demanded the recall of Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj.

High Court will hear today
The Karnataka High Court will hear the matter pertaining to the disqualification of the 16 MLAs today itself, according to State Advocate General Ashok Harnahalli. The rebel MLAs are seeking the quashing of the Speaker’s decision to disqualify them from voting in today’s trust vote that was won by the BJP government. Legal experts say, in case the High Court stays Speaker’s order, Governor Bhardwaj may have to ask Yeddyurappa to seek a trust vote again. A special bench has been constituted to hear the matter, as the regular benches are not sitting in view of the ongoing high court vacation. The Karnataka Government will be represented by the famed advocate and former Solicitor General of India Soli S. Sorabjee.

Governor sends proceedings report to Centre
The Governor, who gave audience to the Opposition parties, has now reportedly sent a report to the Centre about the Assembly proceedings. The Governor is said to have expressed concern over the developments in the State and sought Centre’s intervention.
The Governor’s report also contains the CCTV footage from the House and the report submitted to him by his observers.

State Assembly under suspended animation?
The Centre may keep the State Assembly under suspended animation in the wake of unprecedented events in the Assembly today during the trust vote. The Governor is learnt to have sent a report to the President of India recommending to keep the Assembly under suspended animation in view of the “Constitutional crisis” following confidence vote after disqualifying 16 MLAs. The Opposition members have termed the voice vote unconstitutional.

Courtesy: Star of Mysore

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