In a moment of triumph after eight days of political uncertainty, Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa sailed through the crucial trial of strength in the state Assembly on Thursday morning even as the Opposition made an unsuccessful attempt to force Speaker K.G. Bopaiah to put off voting in view of petitions filed by 16 legislators in the Karnataka high court against their disqualification.
The ruling party won 106-100 at the end of a brief and smooth session and without any hiccups with a sole legislator, Manappa Vajjal, keeping away from the House. Independent legislator Varthur Prakash, who returned to support the government after rushing to Raj Bhavan with his letter against the chief minister and forecast the collapse of the ministry, voted in support of the confidence motion along with 104 BJP legislators and a nominated member. One JD(S) legislator, Mr M.C. Ashwath, reduced the numbers for the Opposition by staying away.
Sources said though Mr Yeddyurappa won the trust vote convincingly, the recommendation of governor H.R. Bhardwaj for imposition of President’s Rule would remain under the consideration of the Centre till the high court pronounces its verdict on the petitions of 11 dissident BJP legislators and five Independents next week. “If the court upholds the Speaker’s order on disqualification of these legislators, the Union government might reject his recommendation, but if the court rules against the order, the next phase of political drama will unfold,” the sources said.
Soon after the victory, Mr Yeddyurappa made courtesy calls on the governor and senior functionaries of the RSS. “I will not resort to political vendetta and will focus on development. I am ready to take the advice of Opposition members,” the chief minister told the media.
While Congress legislators sulked about getting mixed signals from central party leaders and even contemplated a boycott of the special session, leaders of the JD(S) alleged that the ruling party resorted to horse-trading to wean back legislators like Mr Varthur Prakash. “This is only the semi-final. The Speaker should have reserved the ruling on the motion of confidence, but has functioned against the spirit of the Constitution as the high court is yet to give its judgment on the disqualification of 16 legislators,” said Siddaramaiah, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.