The no-confidence motion moved against Chairperson D.H. Shankaramurthy in the Legislative Council was defeated, with Janata Dal (Secular) refusing to lend its support.
The JD (S), the key player in the political manoeuvre, stayed with its pre-existing alliance with the BJP.
The motion, defeated amidst high drama and trading of charges by leaders, ensured that Mr. Shankaramurthy continues to hold his office as chairperson.
The Congress lost out by just one vote, with 36 voting in favour of the motion and 37 against. All 13 JD (S) members voted against the motion as per the direction of party leaders. The party, which had kept both the BJP and Congress guessing on which way it would tilt till the very last moment, finally voted in favour of the former. Efforts made by Congress Ministers to woo two Independent members, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and D.U. Mallikarjuna, also failed.
Once the motion was defeated, there was ruckus in the House for some time as V.S. Ugrappa, the prime mover of the motion, made a series of allegations, including corruption and Constitutional impropriety, against Mr. Shankaramurthy.
He also accused JD (S) members of reneging on their promise. Both the Opposition parties, in turn, termed these a figment of Mr. Ugrappa’s imagination and shouted him down.
Mr. Shankaramurthy, who sat along with members, said he had upheld the tradition and values of democracy and protected the dignity of the Chair.