New Delhi, May 19: Amid allegations of horse trading, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered the BS Yeddyurappa government in Karnataka to prove its majority on the floor of the House at 4 pm on Saturday.
A three-judge Bench headed by Justice AK Sikri — which had refused to stop Yeddyurappa’s swearing-in after a post-midnight hearing on Thursday — said ultimately an early floor test was the solution.
The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 104 members, while the Congress secured 78, the JD(S) 37 and others three in the 224-member House. Since elections were held only for 222 seats, 112 is the magic figure.
Governor Vajubhai Vala had given Yeddyurappa 15 days to take the floor test, but the Congress-JD(S) combine alleged that the BJP was using such a long time to poach on their MLAs.
The Bench said the floor test would be conducted as per rules of the House and a pro tem Speaker would preside over the proceedings. It made it clear that voting would not be through secret ballot.
It also directed the DGP to make adequate security arrangements for the MLAs. The Bench was informed that there was no move to nominate any Anglo-Indian members to the Assembly. The newly inducted CM has been asked not to take any major policy decisions.
The Bench, which included Justices SA Bobde and Ashok Bhushan, said it would examine after 10 weeks if the Governor’s decision to invite Yeddyurappa to form the government was valid.
At first, the Bench said the floor test would be at 10.30 am but then made it 2 pm and finally 4 pm.
