New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India looking into the case of the rebel MLAs of Congress-Janata Dal (S) state coalition, here on Tuesday, July 23, adjourned the hearing to tomorrow. The Apex Court said that it would like to give a collective decision by analysing all the petitions and arguments. Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi opined that all the petitions pertaining to the Karnataka political crisis were interconnected and hence would be collectively looked into on Wednesday, July 24.
Amid this, the court in its proceedings has shown confidence over the Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar sticking to his decision of conducting the crucial floor test today itself.
In the court proceedings today, the advocate defending the rebel MLAs, Mukul Rohatgi requested that the floor test be conducted by today evening and that the state coalition was unreasonably postponing the process.
Contesting this, the advocate defending Speaker Ramesh Kumar, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that it was only four days since the discussion on political crisis had begun in the Assembly and that Speaker Ramesh Kumar had assured of beginning the floor test yesterday and promised to complete the process by today evening at any cost.
He also said that the interference of Governor of Karnataka, Vajubhai Vala in this matter was unacceptable and unlawful.
Meanwhile, when the CJI asked when would the confidence motion be moved on the floor of the house, Singhvi counter questioned how was it even possible when all the coalition leaders and MLAs had not finished their rounds of discussion. Singhvi also said that everyone must talk and that the discussions could be continued tomorrow also.
Speaking to media, after the court hearing, Mukul Rohatgi said, “All the 15 rebel MLAs have been given protection according to the law by the apex court, last week itself and hence there is no fear of exercising the whip on them. They are saved from it. The court has made it clear stating that it was the rebel MLAs’ prerogative whether they wish to present themselves before the Speaker or not or whether to participate in the floor test or not.
