Governor H. R. Bhardwaj has asked the Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar to take a vote of confidence on the floor of the Legislative Assembly, after the former met a delegation of 13 BJP MLAs led by Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) Chief B.S.Yeddyurappa. This has once again put the Karnataka government in a precarious position.
Speaking to presspersons after attending the National Voters' Day celebrations organised by the Election Commission of India, here, the Governor said that Mr. Yeddyurappa and his supporting MLAs complained against Speaker K.G. Bopaiah that he was not available in his chamber in Vidhana Soudha whey they went to Raj Bhavan to submit a memorandum to him.
The Karnataka Governor earlier on Friday said that he would direct the Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar to provide majority at the first instance even before the Budget session. "I will study the relative strength and then speak to the Chief Minister. Mr. Shettar is likely to meet me later today."
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the passing out and attestation parade of 178 Sub Inspectors (Direct Entry) of the Border Security Force here, he said that he would look at the party’s strength in the Assembly soon.
His comments come in the light of 13 BJP MLAs owing allegiance to Mr. Yeddyurappa, announcing their resignation from the Assembly. Infact, they had tried to meet the Speaker K.G. Bopaiah on Wednesday. However, when they could not find the speaker, they had met the Governor and explained their stand.
Asked if he had summoned the speaker K.G. Bopaiah, Governor said that he could not do so as the Speaker is an independent authority. "The 13 MLAs including two Cabinet Minister have complained to me that the Speaker is missing. I have urged Mr. Shettar to be in touch with the Speaker."
