Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police filed an FIR against a Facebook page administrator after city mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun alleged that it was being used to spread fake news against her. According to the complaint handed over to City Police Commissioner Alok Kumar on July 20, the mayor alleged that ‘Modi Bhakta’, a Kannada Facebook page, was running a “misinformation campaign” that she is against the setting up of Ganesh pandals on roads.
READ| Bengaluru Mayor files police complaint over fake news on Ganesh festival
Its been three years since Karnataka took a step forward to ban single-use plastics but the implementation has been tardy. On March 2016, the Karnataka government had banned the manufacture and the sale of thermocol and microbeads. However, the ban has been circumvented as plastic is easily manufactured and available in the market.
READ: Bengaluru’s ban on plastic and why it is tough to implement
Earlier in the day, Supreme Court had adjourned till Wednesday the hearing on a plea filed by two Independent Karnataka MLAs, seeking holding of the floor test “forthwith” in the state Assembly.
S T Somashekhar, a two-term MLA is from the dominant Vokkaliga community in south Karnataka and a follower of Siddaramaiah. He has nursed ambitions of becoming a minister since 2013 when Siddaramaiah was chief minister. He was made the chairman of the Bangalore Development Authority through his intervention. Somashekhar, who has interests in real estate, construction, civil contracts, and travel business, is a close associate of two other Congress MLAs from north Bangalore — Byrathi Basavaraj and N Munirathna, who were also disqualified today.
I congratulate the speaker on this historic decision. The disqualification of the 14 MLAs from ?Congress and JD(S)? upholds the constitutional provisions of the 10th schedule, KPCC president Dinesh Gundu Rao said.
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R Roshan Baig, an eight-time MLA has been a minister on six occasions. He has served as home minister in the past and was the minister for urban development in the previous Siddaramaiah-led Congress government. Baig has been upset after being denied a position in the coalition ministry and has blamed Siddaramaiah for this.
He was suspended by the Congress after the Lok Sabha polls for blaming Congress leaders, including Siddaramaiah, for the party’s defeat. Baig was tipped to join the BJP when he was linked to the multi-crore ponzi scheme scam propagated by the IMA Group and its founder Mansoor Khan. In a video message before he fled the country, Khan alleged that he suffered losses because Baig borrowed over Rs 400 crore and did not return it. An SIT probing the matter has called Baig for questioning on July 11. The Congress leader had declared wealth to the tune of Rs 19 crore in 2013 and Rs 36 crore in 2018. Baig is not among the MLAs in Mumbai. He is overseeing Haj arrangements in Bengaluru after being appointed state head of the Haj Committee by the Union Ministry for Minority Affairs.
Soon after the decision to disqualify 14 more MLAs was announced on Sunday, Karnataka Congress tweeted, "We welcome the verdict. The people's court will also punish these lawmakers for betraying their parties and their people by joining hands with the BJP to bring down the alliance government."
A four-time MLA and a former MP, Vishwanath belongs to the backward class Kuruba community. He was the state president of the JDS till a few days before his move to resign from the Assembly. Vishwanath earlier resigned as state party president, citing the party’s defeat in Lok Sabha polls, the failure of the coalition and the Congress’s “indifference”. He has been engaged in a tussle with fellow Kuruba leader Siddaramaiah ever since he helped the latter join the Congress around 12 years ago. Soon, Siddaramaiah assumed the mantle of the foremost leader of the Kuruba community and Vishwanath was sidelined.
He joined the JDS in 2017 and was elected to the Assembly in 2018. In recent months, Vishwanath had grown disgruntled with the Vokkaliga-dominated section of the JDS over the way he was ignored in decision-making even in his own constituency. Vishwanath was seen with senior BJP leaders in Karnataka and Delhi ahead of his resignation. Although he was expected to quit, the veteran was not expected to be part of a group trying to topple the government. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Vishwanath, who is also a writer, declared wealth to the tune of Rs 3 crore. Ahead of the 2018 state polls, he declared the same amount of wealth. He is one of three JDS MLAs parked in hotels in Mumbai along with seven Congress MLAs.
Where have we reached? The way I am being pressurized to deal with the situation(recent political developments in Karnataka) being a speaker... all these things have pushed me into a sea of depression, Speaker Ramesh Kumar adds after announcing the disqualification of the MLAs on Sunday.
(File Photo)
Earlier last week, on June 25, the Speaker had three rebels Congress MLAs under the anti-defection law for anti-party activities, including association with the BJP to bring down the Congress-JD(S) coalition government. This brings the total number of disqualified MLAs in VIdhana Soudha to 17.
Congress
1.Prathapgouda Patil (Maski, Raichur)
2.B C Patil (Hirekerur, Haveri)
3.Shivaram Hebbar (Yellapur, Uttara Kannada)
4.S T Somashekhar (Yeshwanthpura, Bengaluru)
5.Byrathi Basavaraj (KR Pura, Bengaluru)
6. Anand Singh (Vijaynagara, Ballari)
7.R Roshan Baig (Shivajinagar, Bengaluru)
8.N Munirathna (Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bengaluru)
9.K Sudhakar (Chikkaballapura)
10.M T B Nagaraj (Hosakote)
11. Shrimant Patil (Kagwad,Belgaum)
JD(S)
1. A H Vishwanath (Hunsuru, Mysore)
2. KC Narayana Gowda, (Krishnarajpet, Hassan)
3. K Gopalaiah (Mahalakshmi Layout, Bengaluru)
The BJP’s party chief in Karnataka, B S Yediyurappa, took oath as the chief ministeras a consequence of his party defeating the Congress-JDS coalition in a trust vote on July 23. It is the second time that Yediyurappa has been invited to form the government in the 15th Karnataka Legislative Assembly elected in May 2018.
Governor Vajubhai Vala administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 76-year old Yediyurappa at a ceremony at the Raj Bhavan. Yediyurappa alone was sworn-in. Yediyurappa-led BJP ministry is assuming office three days after the collapse of the Congress-JD(S) government with the defeat of the motion of confidence moved by chief minister H D Kumaraswamy in the assembly by 99-105 votes. (PTI)
In an attack directed at the Karnataka Governor for inviting Yeddyurappa for forming government in the state despite not reaching halfway mark to prove majority Congress' leader Adv. VS Ugrappa during press conference, said, "BJP does not have the numbers to prove majority yet. The Governor continues to act like a BJP agent. The invitation extended by him to Yeddyurappa to form the government is unconstitutional. It is against the mandate given by the people of Karnataka."
(Express photo by Darshan Devaiah)
Senior Congress leader and ex-MP VS Ugrappa will be addressing a press conference today at the Bengaluru KPCC Office at 1 pm. Ugrappa, who is a lawyer by profession on the behalf of Congress is likely to present legal issues on how BJP has been given a chance to form government without majority.
At today's oath-taking ceremony at 6 pm, it is likely that Yeddyurappa will be sworn in alone or along with a very small team. BJP leaders have indicated that it is unlikely that a full Cabinet will take oath today.
Soon-to-be-CM BS Yeddyurappa will need to prove majority in Assembly by July 31. He'll be swearing-in as CM today at 6 pm. BJP leaders indicate that Yeddyurappa is likely to take oath alone.
BJP leaders who were outside Raj Bhavan to meet the Governor said, "Got a phone call from Delhi and a final nod from Amit Shah to go ahead leading to the same." The meeting is underway and Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Alok Kumar is also attending the meet.
Former CM and Karnataka BJP President B S Yeddyurappa has confirmed that he would be meeting with Governor Vajubhai Vala at 10 am to stake claim to form the government and added that he would also urge for the oath-taking ceremony to be held today.
Karnataka Congress chief Dinesh Gundu Rao talks to The Indian Express on the fall of the coalition government and the road ahead for the party in the state. "In the last year, we could not regroup and take issues to people because of various problems, the Lok Sabha elections, the dissidence. We have a voter base here, we have support," says Rao. Read the full interview
The disqualification under the tenth schedule of the Constitution means the three MLAs - R Shankar, Ramesh Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumatahalli -will be stripped of their status as legislators and not be able to contest an election during the remaining 46-month term of the current Assembly, the Speaker said. The MLAs have the option of legally challenging the decision.
The disqualified members will also not be able to hold any Constitutional position in the current Assembly, which effectively bars them from becoming ministers if the BJP forms a government.
Karnataka K R Ramesh Kumar Thursday disqualified three rebel Congress MLAs under the anti-defection law for anti-party activities, including association with the BJP to bring down the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in a trust vote two days ago. Read more
The decision on resignations and disqualifications of the remaining cases will be taken in a couple of days "as it requires a lot of reading." My judgement will be based on sound logic, evidence and arguments, speaker Ramesh Kumar clarified.
Mahesh Kumatahalli is a close associate of Congress leader Ramesh Jharkiholi, the MLA from Belagavi region is known to follow Jharkiholi’s decisions. He has been associated with all five rebellions against the coalition government since September 2018.
He is a member of the Lingayat community. Kumaraswamy and deputy CM Parameshwara spoke to Kumatahalli a few weeks ago to get him to convince Ramesh against leaving the coalition. The businessman declared wealth to the tune of Rs 9 crore in 2018.
Disqualified Congress MLA from Gokak (Belagavi) Ramesh Jarkiholi had travelled to Mumbai with 9 other MLAs soon after tendering his resignation to Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on July 6.
The four-time MLA is one of the four Jarkiholi brothers who have exercised political control over a large part of Belagavi region over the past 15 to 20 years. Hailing from the ST Valmiki Nayak community, Ramesh and his brothers own sugar factories and other businesses in Belagavi worth hundreds of crores. One of the Jarkiholi brothers has inevitably featured in every government in the state over the past decade. One of the four, Satish, is a minister in the current Congress-JDS coalition. Ramesh and Satish are considered to be firm followers of Siddaramaiah with whom they have been associated since his Janata Dal days.
Last year, he was involved in a bitter dispute with Congress leader D K Shivakumar over the latter’s attempts to gain control over the Belagavi region in association with Lakshmi Hebbalkar, an MLA and former associate of Ramesh.
In our judicial system, judgement and justice in many cases will not be together. Unfortunately people at the helm of affairs, by virtue of the Constitution will be in a position only to deliver judgement and not justice, speaker Ramesh Kumar says.
R Shankar, who was from Karnataka Pragnavantara Janata Paksha, had merged his party with the Congress in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. The announcement on the same was made soon after he was inducted into the Kumaraswamy-led cabinet on June 14. The decision was taken as per the 10th Schedule of the Constitution and as per anti-defection laws, Speaker Ramesh Kumar clarified.
Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar announces disqualification of independent MLA R Shankar from the Vidhana Soudha "with effect from now till the expiry of the 15th legislative assembly of Karnataka." The Ranebennur MLA, who quit as Municipal Administration Minister, had left for Mumbai soon after submitting his resignation to Governor Vajubhai Vala on July 8.
Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar has warned of a 'shut down' in the administration of the State, if the finance Bill is not passed before July 31. "If it is not passed by then, even salaries of government employees cannot be paid," he says.
Karnataka Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar, who is yet to decide on the resignation and disqualification of the rebel Congress-JD(S) MLAs, said that he would use his discretion and uphold the faith the Supreme Court has placed in him. He said there was no further opportunity for the rebel MLAs to appear before him and it was a closed chapter now, adding, "law is same for everyone whether it is a labourer or President of India." "Yes..the court has left to my discretion (to decide on resignation), I have discretion, I will work accordingly and will uphold the faith that the Supreme Court has expressed in me," Kumar said.
Congress MLA Sathish Jarkiholi clarified on Thursday that the Congress will not give the rebel MLAs a second chance. He added, "Congress will not try to pacify the rebels while the BJP will face a lot of trouble forming the government." It can be recalled that his brother Ramesh Jarkiholi was one among the first two MLAs to tender resignation from being an MLA on July 1, which later led to the political crisis in Karnataka.
Recalling his days as Karnataka chief minister, Congress Legislative Party leader Siddaramaiah said there were many baseless allegations against him - "a venom he digested to serve people with good intent." "Time will answer everything! Satyameva Jayathe!!" he tweeted on Thursday.
"If the Speaker takes longer time to accept or reject the resignations of the rebels, the Governor (Vajubhai Vala) may recommend President's rule in the state" BJP Karnataka state spokesman G. Madhusudan said on Thursday.
"The coalition was stitched up by Rahul Gandhi, our (Congress) high command. We work only according to the instructions of the high command. Mr Gandhi, Deve Gowda (JDS supremo) and our top leaders will sit together and make a decision on the future of our alliance in Karnataka and we will implement the same. As far as I am confirmed, I stand by my party orders," senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar said on Thursday in Bengaluru.
The rebel Karnataka MLAs, who had been camping in Mumbai before they flew to New Delhi earlier this week for appearance in the Supreme Court, will either return to Mumbai for a brief stay or fly directly to Bengaluru, sources told PTI. "Their role in Mumbai is technically over. They may either fly back directly to Bengaluru (from the national capital) or come down to Mumbai for a brief stay," their coordinator told the news agency. "The picture will be clear by today evening about their Mumbai visit," he added. According to sources, 15 rebel MLAs from the Congress and JD (S) were camping at Hotel Renaissance in Mumbai.
Caretaker chief minister HD Kumaraswamy said on Thursday that it is doubtful that the BJP government will stay stable, even if they take over after by-elections. Blaming the rebel MLAs for creating the political crisis-situation in Karnataka, he said, "Their (rebel MLAs') resignations pushed the state towards by-elections."
Shivaram Hebbar, one among the rebel MLAs camping in Mumbai since tendering their resignations, has returned to Bangalore this morning. Speaking to reporters here, he claimed that there is "unity among all the MLAs" who were staying together outside Bengaluru. Reacting to Siddaramaiah's statement that the rebel MLAs will never be inducted into party, Hebbar replied, "He (Siddarmaiah) was our leader but not anymore."
BJP delegation headed by former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar met BJP Chief Amit Shah and JP Nadda regarding the political scenario in Karnataka, the formation of BJP government there and steps to be taken.
The Karnataka stalemate continues with state BJP leaders expected to have another round of meetings with the central BJP leaders on the formation of a government in Karnataka. Karnataka leaders have had one round of meetings today morning with Amit Shah and J P Nadda, and are expected to continue their discussions later in the day.
Karnataka caretaker Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy meets senior Congress leader and BTM Layout MLA Ramalinga Reddy and discusses current political developments in the state.
BJP leader Renukacharya said that there was no confusion or any issues within the BJP on having Yeddyurappa as the Chief Minister. The issue had been decided long ago and blamed the erstwhile coalition government for spreading rumours about the BJP.
Karnataka Assembly Speaker tells Supreme Court he has no objection to request by 2 independent MLAs to withdraw their plea pending before the court. Sr Adv A M Singhvi for Speaker conveyed this to bench headed by CJI. MLAs wanted “forthwith” floor test.
We are meeting Central leaders to seek their guidance over what should be the strategy and action plan for the formation of new government in Karnataka: BJP leader, Arvind Limbavali
Karnataka BJP leader Madhuswamy: Parliamentary Board has to take decision, they have to advise us to call legislature party meet in Karnataka to elect the CM. So we need BJP chief’s direction, unless he approves we cannot move forward.
The prolonged political crisis in Karnataka has demonstrated the ways in which the nearly 35-year-old anti-defection law can be used and abused. Here’s how the law was enacted, and how it has performed.
READ: Explained: The limits of anti-defection
Rebel Congress MLA Munirathna from RR Nagar constituency is busy promoting his film Kurukshetram and was seen in Hyderabad. Munirathna is a noted film producer. Speaking to reporters, he said that each one of the rebels had different reasons for their decision. For him, the reason was regarding the development of his constituency.
A delegation of Karnataka BJP leaders including Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar are in Delhi to brief senior BJP leaders including Amit Shah on the confidence vote and the political situation in Karnataka. The state BJP is waiting for the central nod to stake a claim to form the government.
Jubilant after the fall of the coalition in Karnataka, the BJP on Wednesday initially indicated it would not rush to stake claim to government formation, but as the day wore on, the party drew up plans to approach Raj Bhavan either Thursday or Friday to press its claim.
Sources in the BJP said B S Yeddyurappa is likely to convene a meeting of party MLAs on Thursday before they approach Governor Vajubhai Vala. “Things will be on fast-forward in Bengaluru on Thursday,” party sources said in the evening.
READ: In Karnataka, wary BJP takes the call: Will stake claim to form govt
Outgoing Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, " When I took oath, my government decided to waive off farmer loans. We planned to bring in the Debt Relief Act. I wanted to bring such an act and help landless labourers and small farmers. We sent the proposal to the President for approval. He has now signed it, I thank him. "
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has alleged that “brazen horse-trading” and “misuse of power” by the BJP has led to the collapse of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka.
The government in Karnataka collapsed Tuesday night after the confidence motion moved by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy was defeated in the assembly, ending his 14-month-long turbulent tenure.
READ: BJP’s ‘brazen horse-trading’, ‘misuse of power’ in Karnataka for all to see: Yechury
Karnataka Caretaker CM HD Kumaraswamy meets officials and thanks them for support. Kumaraswamy said, "I have told all officials, whatever the political situation in future, don't worry about the political developments and only focus on serving the people."
As the Congress-JD(S) alliance collapsed in Karnataka, here is a status check of all the Opposition leaders who were present at the swearing-in ceremony of Kumaraswamy turning it into an Opposition show of strength fourteen months ago.
For a status check on the opposition leaders who had attended Kumaraswamy’s swearing-in and their ties with the Congress, click here
Caretaker CM H D Kumaraswamy said on Wednesday that the coalition government was run "smoothly" for 14 months. He also thanked all officials for their cooperation during the tenure. Admitting that the government faced "several challenges", Kumaraswamy added, "I am satisfied that the government has worked and contributed towards the welfare of the people." He was speaking to reporters at his residential office on Kumara Krupa Road in Bangalore.
The lone BSP MLA and former primary and secondary education minister in Karnataka, who was expelled from the party for not voting in support of the on the trust motion in the Assembly, clarified he was not aware of the tweet his party supremo Mayawati made on Tuesday.
Mahesh said on Wednesday, "Our party in-charge Ashok Siddharth told me to abstain from voting and be neutral and not support any party. That was the instruction given to me. Accordingly, I was absent. I haven't violated Behen Ji (Mayawati)'s order."
He added that the order expelling him from the party was a "surprise" for him as he "did not violate any order." He added, "I haven't spoken to the party Supremo, I was away from Bengaluru for nearly a week."
Bengaluru City Police (BCP) has clarified that section 144 imposed on Tuesday is "still in place and is not revoked." The police, however, confirmed that the ban on the sale of liquor has been withdrawn and pubs, bars and liquor shops can resume operating from 6 pm on Wednesday.
"There were 2 orders yesterday. One for liquor prohibition and second for imposing section 144 CRPC prohibitory order. Only liquor prohibition order is withdrawn. The prohibitory order is not withdrawn," a BCP spokesperson told Indianexpress.com