Karnataka HC to hear disqualification of MLAs

Bangalore : A third judge is expected to hear on Wednesday a petition of 16 disqualified MLAs–11 belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party and five indeendent–,after a division bench comprising Chief Justice of Karnatka High Court J S Khehar and Justice N Kumar gave a split verdict on the issue..

On October 18, the CJ upheld Speaker K G Bopaiah’s decision to disqualify the 11 BJP lawmakers, while Justice Kumar ruled against it, saying the legislators had not quit the party and were not liable to be treated under anti-defection law.

On October 14, the court ruled that the outcome of the trust vote would be subject to its final decision on this petition.

A separate bench of the High Court would hear on November two the plea of five Independent legislators against their disqualification.

Meanwhile, in a fresh blow to the Congress, party MLA SV Ramachandra resigned from the Assembly on Tuesday.

It triggered a protest by the Congress as the party held demonstration outside Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa’s residence late in the night alleging BJP machinations.

More than 50 Congress MLAs were arrested for staging the demonstration.

The Opposition Congress has now been reduced to 99 in the present 208-member House.