A strategy adopted by the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Congress leaders is to wait for a clear direction from the Supreme Court on the right of political parties to issue whip under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution. They believe this may also give them time to convince rebel MLAs to return to the fold.
“We approached the court on Friday afternoon seeking relief from the current confusion over the party’s right to issue whip. The court is expected to give some kind of clarity on the issue,” sources in both parties confirmed. The parties are expecting a favourable decision by the court which they hope will send a strong signal to the 15 rebels now holed up in a hotel in Mumbai.
According to JD(S) sources, the parties are also seriously contemplating moving the court on what the coalition government believes is the Governor’s serious interference in the legislative affairs through his letters to Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
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“JD(S) national president H.D. Deve Gowda is confident that the Governor cannot intervene. After seeking legal advice, he asked Mr. Kumaraswamy to not bother and go ahead with the session proceedings,” JD(S) sources said. Sources said that two letters of the Governor and his directions to the Chief Minister that came in the middle of the session would be questioned in the Supreme Court. “Most likely, we will move the court on Monday. We are exploring all legal angles.” Parties are not jittery over the developments on Friday, sources said.
JD(S) sources said: “We are not against vote. We have moved the motion. The Speaker has clarified that it can’t be put to vote immediately. What is the hurry?” Sources said: “Why should they be in a hurry? We will wait for the Supreme Court’s decision as we believe the State is heading towards a constitutional crisis. We believe the Governor by writing letters is building a case for keeping the House under suspended animation.”