On Monday, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa won the trust vote in the Karnataka Assembly by voice vote. While opposition parties did not seek a division of votes, they did try to corner the government over the finance bills.
With the Assembly strength reduced to 207 following the disqualification of 17 rebel MLAs (including three from the JDS), the BJP has a clear majority with 105 seats, just one more than the majority mark of 104. Moreover, it also has the support of one independent MLA from Mulbagilu, H. Nagesh.
Opposition parties were keen to see the financial bill cleared before July 31, failing which the entire administrative machinery would come to a standstill. Though the Congress party decided to support the finance bill like its ally JDS, it registered protest against Yediyurappa being sworn in as the chief minister despite not having the majority.
Congress legislature party leader Siddaramaiah dubbed the trust vote as "immoral and unconstitutional".
"BJP claims that they formed the government as per people's wish. I feel sorry that Yediyurappa never became CM with people's mandate. In 2008, BJP won only 110 and in 2018 again, they won only 104. To be sworn in as the CM, you needed 113, which you never had. This time, you needed 111 to prove majority, but had only 105, when you staked claim to form the government (as rebels). But you had only 105. I oppose the trust vote, as it is unconstitutional and immoral," said Siddaramaiah.
Former chief minister H. D. Kumaraswamy took exception to Yediyurappa stating that the administration during the coalition rule was a failure. "I urge him to substantiate his claim with documentary evidence. We will not try to destabilise your government. I want you to frame the rules for the debt relief act passed by me just before stepping down as the chief minister. It will benefit the poor who are in the clutches of private moneylenders," said Kumaraswamy, adding that many of their MLAs were still being pressurised to resign by the BJP.
"Today, you have grabbed power due to conspiracy. You must thank the rebels.
I know how you are pressurising our other MLAs. Please stop it. Let them be in the opposition benches at least. Let them not end up on the streets like other (disqualified) rebels," charged Kumaraswamy.
The Karnataka Appropriation Bill 2019 was passed along with demands for grants for 2019-2020, though Siddaramaiah suggested that Yediyurappa should take approval for the entire eight months that are pending rather than seek vote on account till October 31. However, the bills were passed unanimously.
Once again, when the chief minister tabled supplementary estimates aggregating to Rs 3,327 crores, the opposition parties raised objections and suggested that there was no hurry and that it warrants a discussion.
When Yediyurappa defended his tabling the supplementary budget saying he would be unable to spend a single penny for drought relief if the bill is not cleared, Siddaramaiah hit back saying that he was not aware of the nature of the demands.
Strangely, JDS members G.T. Devegowda and Bandeppa Kashempur came to Yediyurappa's rescue stating the supplementary budget should be passed as it was not a new one but what Kumaraswamy had proposed earlier. Siddaramaiah finally yielded and the bill was passed.
During the discussion, Siddaramaiah drew the attention of the House saying Yediyurappa had not kept his word.
"Yediyurappa says he will not indulge in vindictive politics but has given instructions to halt all the constituency projects and programmes of the previous government. This is not the right way," said Siddaramaiah.
Another MLA, Balakrishna, seconded this, saying that all the works approved in July by the coalition government had been stalled.
Later in the day, the finance bill was passed in the Upper House too.
The Assembly has been adjourned till Wednesday, till the new Speaker is elected. Deputy Speaker Krishna Reddy has called for nominations to the post before Tuesday afternoon.
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