Karnataka parties mull strategy for floor test

Bengaluru : With the fate of the H D Kumaraswamy led wobbly coalition government in Karnataka likely to be decided on Monday, political parties are silently preparing their strategy and plan of action for the crucial floor test.

While hectic parleys continued in coalition circles with leaders of both Congress and JD(S) holding meetings, state BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa too met party MLAs and held discussions on the plan of action when the assembly resumes on Monday.

The coalition leaders are also said to be making last ditch efforts to reach out to rebel legislators camped in Mumbai, whose resignations have pushed the government to the brink of collapse.

In a face-off with Governor Vajubhai Vala, the JDS-Congress government had defied the two deadlines set by him to demonstrate its majority in the Assembly Friday itself, worsening the political logjam.

"Despite the Governor's directive to conclude the confidence motion process on Friday itself, unnecessarily time was wasted by allowing legislators to speak for hours.

They don't have majority and are committing the sin of wasting time. What action Governor will take, it is left to him," Yeddyurappa told reporters here Saturday.

Claiming that the Congress-JD(S) coalition had just 98 legislators and BJP 106 MLAs, he said after having lost the majority, Kumaraswamy has no moral right to continue as CM.

"Prove majority if you have or else resign and go,this is our demand. Without resigning, they are wasting time.

It seems that they are in an illusion about getting relief from the Supreme Court on Monday," he said, indicating about Congress and Chief Minister's petition to the apex court.

Kumaraswamy and the Congress have moved the apex court, accusing the Governor of interfering with assembly proceedings when the debate on the trust vote was on and sought clarification on its July 17 order causing hindrance in issuing whip to the legislators.

The court had held that the MLAs cannot be compelled to participate in the Assembly proceedings.