Prima Facie Kumaraswamy Has Lost Majority, Says Karnataka Governor As He Sets Deadline For Trust Vote

BENGALURU — Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala Thursday asked Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to prove his majority in the state assembly before 1.30 pm Friday, observing that the resignation of 15 ruling combine MLAs and withdrawal of support by two independents “prima facie” indicated he has lost the confidence of the House.

He gave the time-line while taking note of the adjournment of the House till Friday after it took up the confidence motion moved by Kumaraswamy in the backdrop of rebellion by a section of ruling Congress -JDS .

“Though a message as contemplated under article 175 (2) is sent to the Speaker, I’m informed that the House is adjourned today. Under these circumstances, I request you to prove your majority on the floor of the House on or before 1:30 PM tomorrow (Friday),” Vala has said in a letter to Kumaraswamy.

He said the resignation of 15 Congress and JDS MLAs and two independents withdrawing their support to the government and other circumstances do “prima facie” indicate that Chief Minister has lost majority or confidence of the House.

“In my capacity as the head of the state I had not intervened on the matter having regard to the fact that the House was called and Trust vote has been moved.

“However, it has been reported to me that the proceedings of the House today for vote of confidence has been stalled and consequently adjourned without reaching any finality. This cannot go on in a democratic set up governed by the constitution of India,” the governor said in his letter, copies of which were made available to media.

Minister in the Kumaraswamy cabinet DK Shivakumar confirmed receipt of the Governor’s letter to Chief Minister.

“The Speaker is conducting the House, he will have to give MLAs an opportunity to discuss, at such time from BJP friends are trying to put pressure through the Governor’s office,” he said.

Vala earlier in the day asked Assembly speaker KR Ramesh Kumar to complete the process of vote of confidence moved by the chief minister by the end of the day.

His message to Kumar came after a delegation of opposition BJP leaders called on him and requested him to direct the speaker to conduct the vote of confidence Thursday itself, amid fears by the party that the ruling coalition was trying to prolong the debate and buy time to shore up numbers.