A notice served by the Opposition parties in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, seeking to move a resolution for removal of Speaker K.G. Bopaiah, is expected to serve as a forerunner to a virtual vote of no-confidence against the B.S. Yeddyurappa government.
Sources in the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) told TheHindu that their parties, which are signatories to the notice, were firm that the Speaker should go since “he has lost credibility.”
However, the parties are unclear of how they will muster the requisite numbers, as there will be a division and the resolution has to be put to vote.
The present strength of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the Assembly is 106, compared to the effective strength of the Opposition, 98.
Mustering the support of at least five members is well nigh impossible for the Opposition.
It is another matter that the notice may not really figure for being taken up on the list of agenda in the current session, given the rules and provisions prescribed under Clause (c) of Article 179 of the Constitution and Rule 169 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, which call for a minimum 14-day period (any day after 14 days) for such a notice to be listed on the agenda.
Secondly, the resolution based on the notice has to be taken up within five days after the leave is granted. Further, the resolution has to have the consent of at least 40 members before it is listed on the agenda.
Several precedents
A notice to dethrone the Speaker has several precedents in the Karnataka Assembly, but there is no precedence of a Speaker having been removed. The last instance was that of Speaker Krishna (2004-2008) against whom a notice was served by over 20 Congress legislators of the 12th Legislative Assembly. When the notice was listed in the business and taken up, hardly any member stood up for taking the matter to the logical end.
In the present instance, sources in the Secretariat indicated that the notice may find a place on the agenda only on January 21 or thereafter. However, the 10-day session is scheduled to come to a close on January 20.
Also, the Opposition — which already stalled the address by Governor H.R. Bhardwaj to a joint session of the legislature on Thursday — is unlikely to permit legislature proceedings until their demand for the resignation of the Chief Minister is met.
