BJP-led state govt cancels celebrations citing law and order; Cong, JDS leaders slam decision, call BJP anti-minority

BENGALURU: Tipu Sultan died 220 years ago. But a decision on whether to celebrate his birthday officially or not triggers war of words between politicians in the state almost every year. And this year is no different. On Tuesday, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa cancelled the Tipu Jayanti celebrations after the cabinet meeting raised apprehensions over maintaining law and order. The trigger behind the cancellation was Virajpet BJP MLA KG Bhopaiah recalling that Tippu Jayanti celebrations had led to unrest and destruction of property in the past. He requested that it be cancelled.

Former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who had started Tipu Jayanti celebrations in the state, reacted sharply to the BJP government’s decision. “BJP is anti-minority and this decision is short-sighted. History books tell us that Tipu Sultan was a freedom fighter who challenged the British and gave up his life fighting,” he said.

Congress MLC CM Ibrahim said, “I feel the pain. We will not fight the BJP government’s decision, but we will tell people about it. If BJP has anything against Tipu, then how come BJP leaders Yediyurappa and Jagadish Shettar participated in Tipu birthday celebrations earlier. They even wore a Tipu headgear.” He further added: “BJP did not spare Mahatma Gandhi, how will they spare Tipu Sultan?’’     

JDS spokesman Tanvir Ahmed said, “BJP has forgotten about development. It is only interested in hate-mongering and polarising the people.’’ “If the government does not celebrate, we will celebrate Tipu Sultan’s birthday in a grand manner,” added Congress leader Zameer Ahmed. 

When contacted, History professor Prithvi Datta C S called for sanity on this issue. “Tipu Sultan was from Mysore, and he was blamed and detested for unleashing attacks against Coorg and Mangalore, which was in their understanding, separate nations. Tipu was attacking another nation, and use of force was obvious. We need to understand history in the right perspective. Both celebration and cancellation are for political purposes.’’ 

Tipu Jayanti celebrations in the state had started in 2016 under the Congress government led by Siddaramaiah.   While many BJP leaders consider him a tyrant and ‘anti-Hindu,’ Congress and JDS leaders claim that the Mysore ruler was a freedom fighter who fought war against the British. A few years ago, protests against Tipu Jayanti celebrations in Coorg had claimed two persons. Such protests have been common in Virajpet, Madikeri and Dakshina Kannada areas.

Tipu Sultan was from Mysore, and he was blamed and detested for unleashing attacks against Coorg and Mangalore, which was in their understanding, separate nations. Tipu was attacking another nation, and use of force was obvious. We need to understand history in the right perspective. Both celebration and cancellation are for political purposes. Prithvi Datta C S, History professor

If the government does not celebrate, we will celebrate Tipu Sultan’s birthday in a grand manner
Zameer Ahmed, Congress leader

Ramesh Kumar, who disqualified 17 MLAs, announced his resignation on the floor of the House on monday 29th july 2019

 BJP Virajpet MLA K.G. Bopaiah

Bengaluru: Four-time BJP MLA K.G. Bopaiah, who invited the Supreme Court’s wrath on grounds that he acted in “hot hate” while disqualifying 11 party legislators and five independents during his controversial tenure as Speaker in 2010, has emerged as the ruling party’s choice to fill the vacancy caused by Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar’s resignation, on Monday.

Mr Ramesh Kumar, who disqualified 17 MLAs, announced his resignation on the floor of the House on monday When the House reconvened, deputy speaker Krishna Reddy announced that as per the Governor’s order, the Speaker’s election would be held on Wednesday.  

Sources in BJP said four candidates – K.G. Bopaiah, Jagadish Shettar, Suresh Kumar and Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri – were considered by top leaders. They were keen on Shettar. He, however, expressed his reluctance to occupy the post on grounds that he is keen to join the cabinet. Therefore, the leaders picked Mr Bopaiah.

Sources said Mr Bopaiah will file papers Tuesday  and an election will be held on Wednesday, in case Congress and JD(S) decided to field a candidate. In May 2018, Mr Bopaiah was appointed pro-tem Speaker. He conducted the floor test for Mr Yeddyurappa on the directions of the SC.

Popularly known as the Coffee King of India, VG Siddhartha, in his letter, blamed one of his private equity partners for ‘creating pressure’ to buy back stocks

Hours after VG Siddhartha, the owner of Café Coffee Day and son-in-law of former Karnataka chief minister and BJP leader SM Krishna, went missing, News18 accessed a letter that he reportedly wrote to his employees.

Popularly known as the Coffee King of India, Siddhartha, in his letter, blamed one of his private equity partners for “creating pressure” to buy back stocks. “I fought for a long time but today I gave up as I could not take any more pressure from one of the private equity partners forcing me to buy back shares, a transaction, I had partially completed six months ago by borrowing a large sum of money from a friend,” he wrote.

Siddhartha had in March this year made the headlines for selling his stake in Mindtree to L&T, which then mounted the first hostile takeover in Indian IT industry.

The letter also alleged harassment by the previous DG, Income Tax. “There was a lot of harassment from the previous DG income tax attaching our shares on two separate occasions to block our Mindtree deal and then taking position of our Cafe Coffee Day shares, although the revised returns have been filed by us. This is very unfair and has led to serious liquidity crunch,” the letter read.

The Café Coffee Day owner found himself in trouble in 2017 when the Income Tax Department first raided his premises and found Rs 650 crore concealed income from the documents seized while concluding the search and seize operations.

Siddhartha went missing on Monday evening when he got off from his car near a bridge across the Nethravathi River near Mangalore, about 375km from Bengaluru, but did not return even after an hour. A panicked driver went down looking for him, but could not find him anywhere. He then alerted the family members who in turn informed the police.

The Dakshina Kannada police have launched a massive search for him. According to his driver, Siddhartha was talking to someone on his mobile phone when he got off from the car near Kotekar.

Meanwhile, the letter also goes onto apologise to its employees. “I have failed to create the right profitable business model despite my best efforts… My intention was never to cheat anybody. I have failed as an entrepreneur. This is my sincere submission, I hope someday you will understand, forgive and pardon me,” read the letter.

Justifying his financials, Siddhartha also wrote, “I have enclosed a list of our assets and tentative value of each asset. As seen below our assets outweigh our liabilities and help repay everybody.”

parmesh jain

Karnataka Chief Minister,BS Yediyurappa wins trust vote in assembly,Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar resigns:

Highlights :
* BS Yediyurappa said he would not indulge in “politics of vengeance”as he believed in the “forget and forgive principle”.
* Ahead of the trust vote,BS Yediyurappa  who is becoming Chief Minister for the fourth time said he was given the chance to be back in this seat for a special reason. If you think that we took a decision that will affect the people in a bad way,you can reach out to us,he added. 
* The 76-year-old had started the day with prayers at a temple in Bengaluru.
* Sometimes we have had to take some harsh decision,we are small people.We should try and not disrespect the chair that we sit on.People come and go,Chief Ministers come and go,be good and do good,Speaker KR Ramesh said before he resigned.
* All that has happened with the rebels,with power all this will go down in history.The rebels have been brought to the streets.They had special flight last time,(this time) I hear that they are getting normal flights,HD Kumaraswamy said.
* BS Yediyurappa’s one-line motion that said the House expresses confidence in the ministry headed by him was passed with a voice vote.He said the administrative machinery had collapsed and his priority was to bring it back on track.
* Yesterday,Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar disqualified 11 rebel lawmakers of the Congress and three from HD Kumaraswamy’s Janata Dal Secular.The move brought down the strength of the House to 208,and the majority mark to 105 a number within the BJP’s reach.
* BS Yediyurappa later said he was confident of proving majority in the house. On Monday,I will prove my majority 100%,” he told reporters in Bengaluru.
* All the lawmakers have been disqualified from the assembly till the end of its term, which calls for by-elections in all 16 constituencies.The disqualified lawmakers said they would challenge the Speaker’s decision in the Supreme Court today.
* Five of rebels,along with an Independent lawmaker,returned to Bengaluru from Mumbai this morning.Independent Nagesh said he would vote for BS Yediyurappa.
* The first test of strength took place last week after 13 lawmakers of the Congress and three from the JD(S) resigned and two Independent lawmakers who were supporting the government switched sides earlier this month. The coalition could scrape up only 99 votes against the BJP’s 105.
* The BJP moved swiftly after the Speaker disqualified three lawmakers on Thursday, staking claim to form government and pushing for a trust vote today. State BJP chief BS Yediyurappa (who also changed his name), took charge of the government as the Chief Minister for the fourth time on Friday.

The Government of BS Yeddyurappa sailed through the trust vote in the Karnataka assembly today as the majority mark slid to 105 after the disqualification of 16 rebel lawmakers of the earlier Congress-Janata Dal Secular coalition.
 The BJP came to power in the state after the Congress and the Janata Dal Secular coalition crashed in the trust vote held last week after 16 rebels quit and two Independent lawmakers switched sides.  
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday won a confidence motion he moved in a special Assembly session to prove his government’s majority.He won the floor test through a voice vote.
Yediyurappa,who took oath as Chief minister on Friday, said the administrative machinery under the previous government had collapsed and he would prioritise bringing it back.
KR Ramesh Kumar Assembly Speaker Defending his decision to disqualify 17 rebel MLAS,who quit as Assembly Speaker Monday,rued that the 10th Schedule of the Constitution dealing with the anti-defection law failed to achieve the intended goals and stressed for a relook into it.Kumar, whose tenure as Speaker spanned for 14 months and four days, said electoral reforms were the need of the hour.The root cause of corruption in public life in the country is electoral system.There is a need for electoral reforms.Speaking about eradicating corruption without electoral reforms will only be a hollow intellectual talk without any commitment.He delivered his final speech in the assembly as Speaker after the three-day old BJP government headed by BS Yediyurappa proved its majority in the truncated state Assembly winning the confidence motion by a voice vote.He announced his resignation, amid reports that the BJP was mulling moving a no-confidence motion against him.He insisted that the House should pressure the Centre to initiate measures for electoral reforms.He requested assemblies of all state governments to pass resolutions and build pressure on the Centre to strengthen the anti-defection law.His appeal came against the backdrop of 17 MLAs of the ruling coalition of Congress and the JD(S) tendering their resignation,leading to political turmoil and culminating in its collapse.Treating their conduct questionable,Kumar disqualified them ahead of the trust vote sought by Yediyurappa.On the occasion,he urged political parties to behave in a mannerthat democratic values are not diminished.In this regard, he asked politicians to never advance their personal and family interest and destroy the political parties they belong to.Kumar cautioned Yediyurappa to be careful with people surrounding him and reminded him that he got the second chance for a reason which he should use to leave an indelible mark on the people of the state.He also sought a relook at the Representation of the People Act and the Lokayukta Act.On the Lokayukta Act, Kumar wondered why there was no clause to explain what would happen if a public servant refused to provide details of assets and liabilities.Further he sought to know why the election commission never orders an inquiry when someone declares massive assets to find out where the money came from.Once the affidavit is filed,it should be sent to the Enforcement Directorate and an inquiry should happen. Every detail should be laid bare before the people.Then only the democracy will survive in this country.Then only,it will give relief to the citizens of this country,finally Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar resigned from his post following the trust vote,saying he had tried to maintain the dignity of office to the best of my ability. Kumar announced his resignation soon after Yediyurappa won the one-line confidence motion and the House passed the Appropriation Bill. He submitted his resignation to Deputy Speaker Krishna Reddy.
A day ahead of the trust vote, the speaker had disqualified 14 MLAs,11 from Congress and three from Janata Dal (Secular) till the end of the current session in 2023.This brought the total number of MLAs who had been disqualified to 17. After the disqualifications,the strength of the House is 208.The BJP has 105 MLAs, just enough to have a majority.
I ran government for 14 months,former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy as saying before the trust vote.I have no obligation to answer your Yediyurappa’s questions.I need to answer to my conscience.From past 14 months,everything was being recorded.There are people sitting on my side today,in an attempt to sway them,I request you to not bring them to the streets next.He said his party would not try to bring down the number of MLAs that the BJP has on its side and would cooperate with the government for the sake of people and he said to continue with the debt relief Act which was passed for the poor people he added.
Ahead of the confidence motion,Congress leader Siddaramaiah claimed that the Yediyurappa-led government was unconstitutional and immoral and did not have the mandate of the people.Where is the mandate in your favour? he asked. Where is the majority? Yediyurappa has become the Chief Minister with just 105 members.Let us see how long you will be the Chief Minister.I want you to be Chief Minister for the full term but I do not think you will be able to complete it the term.Continuing his criticism of the Chief Minister after the floor test,Siddaramaiah said the BJP government would not last the full term as it was dependent on those who had lost their morals.When BS Yediyurappa took the oath,halfway mark was 111 but how on earth did they show numbers to the governor?the Congress leader tweeted.BS Yediyurappa has taken oath for four times but he lacked numbers in all instances.He is like a ‘crony capitalist’ who manufacturers numbers in a way that is harmful for a democratic nation.The Congress leader thanked the Speaker, saying “his honest decisions has set an example in the country showing how a speaker should conduct himself.
The state Congress unit also lashed out at Yediyurappa,alleging that his expertise in horse-trading and resort politics had made him the Chief Minister.Operation Kamala may have won him the trust vote today, but he does not have the trust of the people of Karnataka,” the party added.
Yediyurappa also addressed the House before the floor test, saying that when Siddaramaiah or Kumaraswamy were Chief Minister the BJP did not indulge in vindictive politics.Administration has failed and we’ll set it right,the chief minister said. I assure the House that we won’t indulge in vindictive politics either.I believe in forget and forgive.He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi,Union Home Minister Amit Shah,and BJP Working President JP Nadda.
After the trust vote, the Assembly passed the Finance Bill (Appropriation Bill), seeking a vote on account for three months.Yediyurappa said that the bill needed to be passed urgently as it would have been difficult to even pay salaries of government employees had it remained stuck.
Two rebel Karnataka Congress leaders on Monday moved the Supreme Court:
Seeking quashing of Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar’s decision to disqualify them from the Assembly.Kumar, meanwhile, announced his resignation soon after newly appointed Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa won the confidence motion by a voice vote.
Seeking quashing of the July 25 order of the Speaker, which said the MLAs have incurred disqualification in terms of the tenth schedule of the Constitution (anti-defection law),Rebel Congress leaders Ramesh Jharkhiholi and Mahesh Kumathalli described the decision taken by Kumar as illegal,arbitrary and mala fide exercise of his power.
Advocate Shubranshu Padhi, who had filed the petition on behalf of the disqualified MLAs, told media persons that a second petition by independent MLA R Shanker, who was also disqualified, is likely to be filed on Tuesday.Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi is likely to mention the plea moved by Jharkhiholi and Kumathalli for early hearing.
Karnataka assembly session adjourned:
The Karnataka assembly session, which witnessed Chief Minister Yediyurappa winning the trust vote, has been adjourned till 12 noon on Tuesday. The new Speaker will be nominated on Tuesday.
One stage is over, BJP has won the floor test.Next course is cabinet expansion.Our senior leaders both at the state and the Centre will sit together and decide on it at the earliest,senior BJP leader and MLA Suresh Kumar said.Speaking to reporters here, he said,I think it should be over by this weekend.Yediyurappa alone was sworn in as Chief Minister on Friday,three days after the collapse of the Congress-JDS coalition ministry following rebellion by a section of the ruling combine MLAs.The appointment of new Speaker will be decided in a day or two as the post cannot be kept vacant,Suresh Kumar, who is also the BJP spokesperson said. He, however, brushed aside speculations of him being considered for the job,stating that no body has spoken to me about that he added.
BJP MLA KG Bopaiah likely to apply for Speaker post:
Since KR Ramesh Kumar resigned as the Karnataka Speaker, BJP MLA KG Bopaiah, according to the reports, is likely to file a nomination on Tuesday for the Speaker’s post. KG Boaiah has been the Karnataka Speaker earlier.

Yediyurappa’s government has replaced the 14-month-old government of the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) alliance,which collapsed last week.In a trust vote earlier called by former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, 99 MLAs voted for the coalition while the Bharatiya Janata Party secured 105 votes. Kumaraswamy resigned after the floor test concluded.
Seventeen rebel MLAs (Congress-14 and JDS-3) had skipped the Assembly session during the trust vote proceedings on July 23, bringing down the Kumaraswamy government which lost the confidence motion with 99 members voting in favour and 105 against it.

Pramesh Jain

Karnataka Speaker,KR Ramesh Kumar Cracks Whip and disqualifies 14 rebel MLAs,ahead of Yediyurappa government’s trust vote today

“Speaker Ramesh Kumar Cracks Whip on Rebel MLAs by Disqualifying them “

In a major development the Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Sunday disqualified 14 rebel legislators from the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular).With this,17 MLAs who had resigned from the Assembly have been disqualified.All have been disqualified from the Assembly till the end of its term in 2023.
The Speaker’s move came a day before the Bharatiya Janata Party,led by BS Yediyurappa,will have to prove its majority in the House.After the disqualifications, the strength of the House is now 208,and the majority mark is 105 the number the BJP has at present.
Of the 14 MLAs who were disqualified, 11 are from the Congress are,Pratap Gouda Patil, BC Patil,Shivaram Hebbar, ST Somashekar,Byrathi Basavaraj,Anand Singh,R Roshan Baig,K Sudhakar, Muniratna,MTB Nagaraj and Shrimant Patil and three are from the Janata Dal (Secular).The JD(S) legislators are H Vishwanath,Narayan Gowda and Gopalaiah.
Earlier, Kumar had disqualified three rebel MLAs are,R Shankar, Ramesh Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumathahalli who had withdrawn support to the Janata Dal (Secular)-Congress government. 
Ramesh Kumar,addressing the press conference on Sunday said the three MLAs’ resignations were not voluntary and genuine.The whole world knows that.I have done my job to the dictates of my conscience.I have used my judicial conscience,said Kumar,who had earlier disqualified three Congress rebel MLAs on Thursday and said he would make the pronouncement of his decision in the remaining cases in a couple of days.The disqualified MLAs cannot fight elections until the expiry of the term of the 15th assembly.The speaker said.The Congress and JDS, whose government collapsed on Tuesday last after a rebellion by a section of their MLAs, had petitioned the Speaker to disqualify their errant members.The disqualified MLAs are,ST Somashekhar of (Yeshwanthpura), BC Patil of (Hirekerur), Shivaram Hebbar of(Yellapur), Prathapgouda Patil of (Maski), K Gopalaiah of (Mahalakshmi Layout), AH Vishwanath of (Hunasuru), Narayana Gowda of (Krishanarajapete),Munirathna Naidu of (RR Nagar), R Roshan Baig of (Shivajinagar), Byrathi Basavaraj of (KR Puram), MTB Nagaraj of (Hoskote), K Sudhakar of (Chikkaballapura),Shrimant Patil of (Kagwad) and Anand Singh of (Vijayanagara).The MLAs who were disqualified on Thursday were Ramesh Jarkiholi (Gokak), Mahesh Kumathall (Athani) and R Shankar (Ranebennur). All these disqualifications were made under Section 2 (1) (a) of the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution read with Article 19 1 (2).The Speaker even underlined that he was not worried about a no-trust motion that the BJP planned to bring against him in the assembly and said he was even ready to resign on July 23.Let me see when no trust motion is brought against me.I carried a resignation letter on July 23 because I wanted to resign if the matter dragged on that day because I did not want to carry that burden.The Speaker said he is yet to take a call on the fate of BSP MLA N Mahesh after the party sought his expulsion because he abstained from the trust vote on July 23 he added.
“Congress CLP leader Siddaramaiah and Janatadal Secular Welcomes the move”
I welcome the decision of spreaker to disqualify 14 MLAs.This honest decision of speaker will send strong signals for all the representatives in the country who might fall for @BJP4India’s trap @INCKarnataka siddaramaiah tweeted.
I congratulate the speaker on this historic decision.The disqualification of the 14 MLA’s from ⁦@INCIndia⁩ and ⁦@JanataDal_S,⁩ upholds the constitutional provisions of the 10th schedule.#SatyamevaJayate.KPCC President,Dinesh Gundu Rao tweeted.
14 Atrupta MLAs of Congress & JDS are disqualified until 2023.This is a bold and great move by the speaker of Karnataka Legislative assembly. This should be a lesson for all greedy & selfish politicians. Acting against the Constitution of India comes with a price. official twitter handle of JDS tweeted.
JD(S),Supremo HD Devegowda breaks down at a press meet and he calls speaker Verdict is a historic verdict I welcome the verdict he even said we will wait and watch what complaints they tell about me and HD Kumaraswamy as they will held a press conference we will wait and watch as the three of the disqualified MLAs have approached already Supreme Court and rest other rebel MLAs will also approach Supreme Court he said.
The rebels are likely to approach the courts to challenge the decision.
Former MLA of RR Nagar constituency Munirathna Naidu who is even a rebel MLA who is in Mumbai after the speaker disqualified them one of the rebel MLA spoke to media persons Statiing that,Our leaders had told us that they would finish us off.They had intimidated us that they would do something like this before.Leaders from both parties had done this.Former Chief minister HD Kumaraswamy was not working properly.They had said that the government would be toppled just after Lok Sabha polls.We waited.But even after that,the prevarication began.It is our freedom to resign.If you are right,why will anyone resign?.Later,he even went to the extent of saying that the Congress leaders were themselves unhappy with former PM HD Deve Gowda and his son HD Kumaraswamy.Our own Congress leaders said that the father and son had been acting too smart.They didn’t hold any meeting which was supposed to be held at least once in a month.We will come to Bengaluru and expose everything.Our law is very robust.This is being done to placate the JD(S).Whatever is happening is a lie. This is being done to ensure HDD and HDK don’t get angry.JD(S) doesn’t trust Congress and vice-versa.Speculations are rife that the rebel MLAs may join the BJP. But the leader went on to say nothing like that was on his mind.I have not spoken anything about joining BJP.We trust in God. Humans have no role to play in our fortunes.We were provoked to take such a decision,he signed off telling this. 
“BJP slams Speakers decission on Rebel MLAs disualification. “
Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda reacts on speaker decission on rebel MLAs he said,Speaker has exercised his powers to disqualify.Disqualified rebel MLAs have the right to approach court and seek justice.We have majority on floor of the house to form the government we have 105 MLAs whereas coalition has only 100 MLAs he said.
Former Chief Minister,Jagadish Shettar said,Move by speaker Ramesh Kumar suspicious,Decision by Speaker to disqualify MLAs is Illegal and unconstitutional the decision by speaker is a black mark on the personality of speaker he said.
Rajya Sabha,MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar has expressed his displeasure in the way the Speaker has disqualified the 17 rebel MLAs and said that the order is patently illegal, malafide and is an overreach of power.BJP Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar has hit out at Ramesh Kumar, the Speaker of Karnataka Assembly for having disqualified all 17 rebel MLAs who had resigned from their parties.He said,Ahead of the floor test of the newly sworn in chief minister of Karnataka Shri BS Yediyurappa on Monday,the Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly Ramesh Kumar has disqualified 14 MLAs of Congress and JDS who had resigned from their membership of the house.Earlier on Thursday,he had disqualified 3 MLAs.He added.These disqualifications are based on the petitions filed by Congress floor leader Siddaramaiah, KPCC Chief Dinesh Gundu Rao and former CM HD Kumaraswamy seeking disqualification of rebel MLAs.The MP also expressed his displeasure over politicising the entire issue.Our constitution envisages that those in constitutional positions must exercise their power responsibly.But Ramesh Kumar has spotlighted the risks of having politically motivated persons in constitutional positions who don’t hesitate flouting laws and constitution for crooked politics.The MP also termed the disqualifications.malafide.Speaker Ramesh Kumar‘s order of disqualifying Congress and JD(S) MLAs is patently illegal, malafide and overreach of his discretionary power. It is nothing but a clumsy attempt of revenge – at behest of his master and Leader of Congress Legislative Party Mr. Siddaramaiah – against MLAs who rebelled against the corrupt government which was infamously known as 20 Percent Sarkara,” he said.
The 14-month-old ruling coalition lost the trust vote last Tuesday after 99 MLAs voted in favour of it and 105 legislators went against it.The floor test was necessitated by the resignations of the MLAs.The coalition government had come to power in May 2018 and the next election is due in 2023.In May 2018,Karnataka ended up with a fractured mandate after the Assembly elections.The BJP emerged as the largest party with 105 seats, but was eight short of the majority mark of 113.
Though the Congress-JD(S) was defeated 99-105 in the confidence motion, the BJP will now have the added pressure to ensure victories in the vacant constituencies to remain in power for the remainder of the term.
Most of the rebels said that they had only resigned as legislators but not as members of their respective parties. The rebels are likely to move Supreme Court to challenge the speaker’s ruling.
The coalition has accused the BJP of engineering the resignations to destabilise non-BJP governments across the country. Most of the rebels were flown away from Bengaluru in special flights and lodged in a plush Mumbai hotel.Several BJP leaders were seen with the rebels, raising suspicions if the saffron outfit was indeed behind the crisis.The BJP has feigned innocence in the entire episode stating that the coalition collapsed due to the discord between the traditional rivals.
These means in total 17 MLAs of the Karnataka Assembly have been disqualified bringing the strength of the House to 207 and the magic number reduced to 104.The BJP has 105 MLAs of their own and independent MLA H Nagesh is likely to support them for BS Yediyurappa’s floor test on Monday.
In the recent case of 18 AIADMK MLAs, who were disqualified in September 2017, they were allowed by the apex court and the Election Commission to contest the bye-elections held six months later.With this karnataka stands on second number of MLAs getting disqualified. 
Meanwhile,Section 144 will remain imposed near the Vidhana Soudha in a radius of 2kms from 6 AM on Monday till midnight on 30 July in view of Assembly session and trust vote to take place so for the precautionary measures Section 144 has been imposed said Bengaluru City Police Commissioner,Alok Kumar.

Bengaluru, 27nd July 2019:Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Bengaluru is all geared up for ‘Utopia 2019’– The International Cultural Extravaganza which will be on the 31st of July 2019 (Wednesday). The theme that underlies Utopia 2019 is ‘Mélange’ which translates into a blend of different cultures, performing arts, languages, or as we like to call it – ‘A Blend of Brilliance’. Organised by the Cultural & International Relations Committee of SIBM B, the event aims to bring together students from different nationalities onto one platform. Since its inception, Utopia has been a medium that has facilitated and strengthened the bond between the Indian and the international students, encouraging mutual learning & inspiration. 

With the rhythm of many nations resonating across the campus, SIBM Bengaluru will be the instrument that will unify and celebrate the cultural-diversity like never before!

KEY HIGHLIGHT: One of the biggest B-School Blood Donation Drives in Bengaluru! Just like last year, there will also be a blood donation camp on the same day, and this year, we aim to break the previous record of collecting 226 units of blood.The founder of Symbiosis International University, Padma Bhushan Dr. S.B. Mujumdar, who came up with the idea of a ‘Home away from Home’ for International students, is an earnest believer of this very thought. Every year Utopia coincides with his birthday and allows the students from across the world, to relive his dream of all an-inclusive Utopia! This year’s theme ‘Mélange’ will chisel a foundation of unity from the blocks of diverse elements.

What Utopia had delivered last year:

1.   Event-Participation by over 613 International Students

2.   Students from  27 different countries

3.   An Ornate Street Play by Jzaa (The Drama Club of SIBM-B)

4.   A Heartwarming Mime Performance by Jzaa Again

5.   A ‘Musiculture’ Event by Saaz (The Music Club of SIBM B)

What we’ve got for you this year!

The following are the events lined up for Utopia 2019:

1.  Vogue (Fashion Show)

2.  Global Food Fiesta (Freshly served International Cuisines) 

3.  Chaîne (Dance Event)

4.  PUBG (Online game)

5.  Arpeggio (Musical Event)

6. Kinetoscope (Photography Contest)

7.  Rollick (Football Event)

Venue: #95/1#95/2, SIBM Bengaluru, Electronic City Phase-1, Hosur Road, Bengaluru-560100.

Date:  31^st July 2018 (Tuesday)

Time:10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Pramesh Jain

BS Yediyurappa takes oath as Karnataka CM for Fourth time,says ‘will prove majority at 10 am on Monday’:

Highlights :
* Draped in white safari suite,with a folded green shawl over his shoulders, Yediyurappa took oath in Kannada in the name of god in the presence of dignitaries, special invitees and top officials of the state, including police officers.Hundreds of party’s leaders,legislators,cadres and Yediyurappa’s family members were also present at the event amid tight security.
* The Congress,which lost power on Tuesday,boycotted what its leaders called an “unholy event”.
* The difference between the BJP government and the coalition government is that we work for the development.Forget and forgive is our mantra,BS Yediyurappa told the media persons after taking oath.
* Before his swearing-in,the 76-year-old changed the spelling of his name from “Yeddyurappa” to “Yediyurappa”.
* The three-time Chief Minister,who has never completed a term,wants to take no chances this time.His first term lasted one week and the second term,three years.The third stint was just 48 hours long.
* This morning,Mr Yediyurappa surprised many by heading to Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Vajubhai Vala and stakes to form the government and asking to be sworn in, after a two-day wait for a go-ahead from his leadership in Delhi.
* The BJP was believed to be playing it safe to secure its numbers in the assembly but Mr Yediyurappa reportedly persuaded BJP chief Amit Shah to let him take charge in Karnataka.
* Sources say the clearance came after Karnataka BJP leaders assured Delhi that they had the support of the rebels and would win the vote.The rebels reportedly guaranteed their vote for the BJP in a video call with Karnataka leaders says sources.
* After the Karnataka election in May last year that yielded no clear winner,Mr Yediyurappa took charge as Chief Minister but resigned two days later,just before a trust vote,knowing he didn’t have the numbers.The Congress and Mr Kumaraswamy’s Janata Dal Secular then tied up to keep the BJP out of power.
* The BJP moved swiftly a day after Karnataka Speaker,KR Ramesh Kumar disqualified three of the 17 rebel lawmakers whose exits brought down the Congress-JDS coalition.In a floor test on Tuesday after four days of prolonged debate that the BJP alleged were an attempt to stall the vote, the coalition could manage only 99 votes to the BJP’s 105.
* The disqualifications bring down the strength of the House to 222,and the majority mark drops to 112. The BJP has 105 lawmakers and the support of an independent;another independent legislator was disqualified.The Congress-JDS has 100 (including a member who stayed away from the trust vote claiming he was unwell).
* Fifteen legislators set the Congress-JDS coalition’s downfall in motion with mass resignations earlier this month.They promptly flew out of Bengaluru to Mumbai, where they have been staying in a five-star hotel.The coalition accused Mr Yediyurappa of unleashing “Operation Lotus”,the name given by critics to what they call the BJP’s strategy of seizing power by drawing away lawmakers with money or other inducements.
* Congress and JDS leaders skipped the oath.Describing Mr Yediyurappa as a “corruption icon and former Jail Bird” in a tweet,the Karnataka Congress accused him of using “his excellent Horse Trading skills to subvert democracy and come to power.The party said the people of Karnataka remember his disastrous tenure as CM between 2008-2011,which ended with BSY (Yediyurappa) in Jail. History is all set to repeat again.”

“I have taken two prominent decisions at the Cabinet meeting. In addition to the PM Kisan scheme I will also provide two instalments of Rs 2,000 to the beneficiaries – BS Yediyurapa. “
Bookanakere Siddalingappa Yeddyurappa of BJP has sworn in as the 25th (in person) Chief Minister of the Karnataka.Yediyurappa was sworn in for the fourth time as Karnataka Chief Minister on Friday, three days after the fall of the 14-month-old Congress-Janata Dal Secular coalition in a test of strength. 
Mr Yediyurappa said in his statement he will prove his majority in the Assembly at 10 am on Monday.His BJP,with the support of 106 lawmakers,is six short of a majority but Mr Yediyurappa says he is “101%” confident of winning.BJP chief Amit Shah reportedly gave his go-ahead to Mr Yediyurappa after Karnataka leaders assured that rebel lawmakers whose resignations brought down the Congress-JDS government of HD Kumaraswamy will back the BJP.
Newly sworn in Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Friday said he would move the motion of confidence in the assembly on July 29.
Yediyurappa was sworn as Chief Minister for a fourth time on Friday oath ceremony was administered by Governor Vajubhai Vala.
Security was heightened in and around Raj Bhavan more than 1000 police personnel with all the senior officers as,DG & IGP of Karnataka,Neelamani N Raju,with Commissioner of Police,Alok Kumar,Addl CPs,as,S.Murugan,Umesh Kumar,P.Harishekaran,Joint CP Crime as DIG,Dr.BR.Ravikanthe Gowda,Joint CP CAR,Suresh,DCPs,as,Dr.Chandragupta,Dr.Rohini Katoch Sepat,Jagadeesh,MN Anucheth,Ramesh Banoth,Shashi kumar,Rahul Kumar Sharpode,Bheemashankar Guled,Smt.Isha Pant,Dr.Vishnuvardhan,Sridhar,Girish S,Dr.Soumya Latha SK,Saraha Fathima,KP Ravikumar,with all ACPs,PIs,PSIs,and other staffs of law and order and Traffic were deployed for precautionary measures and with the elaborate security arrangements the oath ceremonial function went smooth and peacefully.
The cops inside the glass house of Raj Bhavan had tough time to control the massive crowd as crowd were trying to jump and enter the area which was barricaded but then also the cops deployed under the supervision of senior officers they controlled the crowd peacefully.
Karnataka Chief Minister-designate BS Yediyurappa has instructed heads of all departments to put on hold orders relating to new projects that were issued in the current month by the HD Kumaraswamy-led coalition government until further review.
He has also put on hold all transfers that were cleared, but have not been executed.
In a letter to all Additional Chief Secretaries,Principal Secretaries and secretaries of various departments,Chief Secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar said the CM-designate has directed that orders issued in July 2019 clearing new projects should be put on hold with immediate effect until further review.
He said the CM-designate has also instructed that proposals of transfers that were cleared in July, but have not been executed should be put on hold until further orders.
Meanwhile a person came dressed up in like PM Narendra Modi spotted at the swearing in ceremony he has cherished the crowd and huge supporters enjoyed by seeing the man dressing like Narendra Modi and huge celebrations were seen by the party workers outside the Raj Bhavan and party office at Malleshwaram also supporters enjoyed the swear in ceremony of BS Yediyurappa and LED screen were was installed outside Raj Bhavan and Malleshwaram party office for the public and party workers and supporters.
All the MLAs MLC with Many MPs,Retired IAS,IPS,with other officers and leaders were present at the oath ceremony. 
Traffic was not allowed and it was diverted in and around Raj Bhavan area in view of oath ceremony and many dignitaries attended the function.
Senior BJP leaders congratulated BS Yediyurappa on twitter after taking oath as Chief Minister of karnataka. 
The swearing in came after weeks of murky political drama and legal battle triggered by the resignation of 15 rebel Congress and JDS MLAs that led to the fall of the coalition government on Tuesday.
This is Yediyurappa’s fourth stint as the Karnataka chief minister and second in the current Assembly.He had taken oath as the Karnataka chief minister in May 2018 after the BJP emerged as the single-largest party in the state polls.The party failed to secure support from other parties prompting Yediyurappa to resign before voting on the confidence motion. He was the chief minister for just three days.
Yediyurappa became Karnataka chief minister for the first time in 2007.The stint lasted only a week with the JDS backtracking on its promise to extending support to the government.His second stint was the longest three years two months – between May 2008 and July 2011,when he was indicted by the Karnataka Lokayukta in a corruption case forcing him to resign.
His fourth stint has come in the backdrop of a huge defection drama for which the Congress-JDS coalition blamed Yediyurappa earlier this month. Eighteen of the MLAs including two Independent withdrew support to the Kumaraswamy government.This brought the Congress-JDS alliance in minority in Karnataka Assembly.
 BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje on Friday asserted that BS Yediyurappa, who will take oath as Karnataka chief minister in the evening, enjoys the support of a majority of MLAs in the state assembly and he will provide a stable government.Speaking to reporters here, Karandlaje,a former minister in the state and considered a Yediyurappa loyalist, refuted suggestions that the BJP central leadership wanted to adopt a more cautious approach and wait for a few more days.Yediyurappa staked claim to form the government only after getting a nod from the central leadership.He and the central leaders are on the same page,the Lok Sabha MP from the state said to reporters.
After taking oath as the 25th Chief Minister of Karnataka,BS Yediyurappa on Friday evening said that over the next few days he will show how the administration should be done and aims to rectify the maladministration.The Karnataka CM also saluted those who were martyred at Kargil.In his first press conference after taking office,he vowed not to indulge in vendetta.He asserted that his priority is to address and help the drought facing farmers who are in distress,along with weavers and workers.He was sworn in for the fourth term as Karnataka CM at the Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru,succeeding Congress leader HD Kumaraswamy.Yediyurappa also announced that he has taken two prominent decisions at the Cabinet meeting.In addition to the PM Kisan scheme,he will also provide two instalments of Rs 2,000 to the beneficiaries.He said that on July 29,his government will hold the confidence motion at 10 am.The finance bill will be taken up right after that,he added. Yediyurappa also said that he will make a decision on the cabinet after discussing with leaders in Delhi.Yediyurappa thanked the of 6.5 crore citizens of Karnataka and lakhs of workers for their hard work.He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister,Amit Shah for their blessings,adding that it was because of them that he had been able to come to this position.He said,Firstly, I salute those who were martyred at Kargil.I thank the 6.5 crore people of the state.I believe that this is paying respect to Karnataka citizens.Over the next few days, we will show how the administration is to be done.Apart from blessings,hard work of lakhs of workers,I’ve also the blessings of PM Modi and Amit Shah.My aim is to rectify maladministration.I vow to not indulge in vendetta. Forget and forgive is my belief.Farmers are in distress and my priority is to help them along with weavers and workers.I have come to this place thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. We will focus primarily on drought facing farmers and workers.On July 29 we will hold the confidence motion of this government at 10 am. Finance bill will be taken up right after confidence motion.I will make a decision on the cabinet after I discuss with leaders in Delhi,” he further added.
Yediyurappa has held office for three terms from November 12-19,2007; May 30, 2008-July 31, 2011; and May 17, 2018-May 19, 2018.
He took oath three days after Kumaraswamy resigned on July 23 following his defeat in the floor test by six votes in the Assembly when he had put to vote his confidence motion on Tuesday at the end of four-day marathon debate.
After the fall of Kumaraswamy government, Speakar KR Ramesh Kumar disqualified three rebel Congress MLAs, making them ineligible to become minister in the Yediyurappa government as was widely speculated.Decision on 14 other rebel MLAs is still pending with the Speaker.
At present,the strength of the BJP is 105 and the single largest party in the Assembly of 224 MLAs.It also enjoys the declared support of one Independent MLA. With three disqualified, the total strength has come down to 221.The official majority mark is 112.
If the rebel MLAs stay away from voting, the strength of Karnataka Assembly will be 207.The half-way mark will then be 104. The BJP is comfortably placed.
If the rebel MLAs vote in favour of the Yediyurappa government,the BJP will have no problem in sailing through.The Yediyurappa government will have support of 120 MLAs.
But if the Congress-JDS leadership is able to convince MLAs to come back to their fold, and vote against the BJP in the floor test, the Karnataka politics will be back to square one.The BJP will have 106 MLAs voting for it when it requires support of 112.
The Congress and the JDS,earlier, criticised Governor Vajubhai Vala’s decision to invite Yediyurappa for government formation calling the move anti-democratic.The Congress said the BJP does not have majority in Karnataka Assembly.

Karnataka Government B.S Yeddyurappa, a three-time chief minister of the state, will be sworn in at Raj Bhavan at around 6 pm today.

Karnataka government  Drawing the curtains on Karnataka’s political crisis, B S Yeddyurappa Friday was invited by the Governor to stake claim to form the government. Yeddyurappa, a three-time chief minister of the state, will be sworn in at Raj Bhavan at around 6 pm Friday. The development comes three days after the JD(S)-Congress coalition government lost a trust vote on the floor of the state legislative Assembly.

“I just met the Governor to form government and take oath as chief minister. The government has agreed and the oath ceremony will take place between 6 and 6.15 pm,” Yeddyurappa said.

The H D Kumaraswamy-led Congress-JD(S) government fell on Tuesday after it secured only 99 votes against the BJP’s 105 in the Karnataka Assembly. The vote was held after a series of resignations by JD(S) and Congress MLAs, who alleged lack of stability in the coalition.

Pramesh Jain

Karnataka Speaker,KR Ramesh Kumar Disqualifies Independent MLA R Shankar, two Congress rebels,

Highlights: 
* The political crisis has put the speaker KR Ramesh Kumar not only in the limelight, but also on the “horns of a dilemma.
* I have been sitting on a hot seat here.You people will not understand my problem,” Kumar claimed, while trying to highlight his predicament.
* Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar disqualified three MLAs R Shankar, Ramesh Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumathalli under 10th schedule.They cannot contest elections till 2023.
* Independent MLA,R Shankar who is even called as (Pendulum Shankar) has been disqualified by Karnataka Speaker for five year ie; this term of assembly till 2023.
* Congress MLAs Ramesh Jharkiholi and Mahesh Kumathalli also disqualified till the end of this 15th assembly ie; 2023. 
* Closed chapter: Karnataka Speaker:
Stating that there was no more option for MLAs to appear before him, he said that process was over.I had called them and they did not come,their lawyers had come and have said what they had to,it is a closed chapter,he added.Not specifying on the next course of action,Kumar inresponse to a question said, when MLAs resign according to article 190 (3)(b) and 35th amendment to the Constitution, the Speaker can call them for inquiry.I had called, they did not appear, that’s all,” he said.
* Speaker disqualifies independent MLA R Shankar from Ranebennur seat:
Addressing the media, Karnataka Speaker Ramesh Kumar said independent MLA R Shankar has been disqualified from Ranebennur constituency.
* 2 Congress rebel MLAs disqualified
The Speaker also disqualified rebel Congress MLAs Ramesh Jarkiholi from Gokak (Belagavi) and Mahesh Kumathalli from Athani (Belgaum)  “with effect from now till the expiry of the 15th legislative assembly of Karnataka”.
Disqualified members cannot contest or get elected till end of term’:
Resignation is a respectable terminology, disqualification is admonishing,The Speaker said that the cases of 14 other rebel MLAs will be decided in the next couple of days.Disqualified members under the anti-defection law cannot contest or get elected till the end of the term of the house, he said.
Assembly should resume within 38 hours’: Karnataka Speaker:
Responding to a question on BJP meeting him,Ramesh Kumar said,they had come today date is 25 (July), by 31st if we don’t pass the Finance bill government will come to a standstill and we will not be in a position to even pay salaries,such a necessity has come,what to do?”i have said, as soon as the government is formed and whenever those forming the government say the assembly should be convened, within 48 hours we will call a session so that the work can go on.

“Suspense on govt formation mounts with all eyes on Speaker’s decision on rebel MLAs”.

Karnataka Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar on Thursday disqualified three rebel MLAs,who withdrew support from the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government.This came two days after the coalition lost the floor test in the Assembly.
Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar briefing media persons who called for a emergency press conference at his office addressing the media persons he said the Congress MLAs,R Shankar,Ramesh Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumathahalli were disqualified from the Assembly till the completion of its tenure,the Speaker told reporters.Ramesh Jarkiholi and Mahesh Kumathahalli have incurred disqualification from being members of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in terms of 2 (1) (A) of the schedule X.Both the respondents cease to be members of the Karnataka Legislative assembly from this date till the expiry of the term of this assembly.While disqualifying Shankar,the speaker had said that he was looking at the complaints against legislators who had resigned.I have issues related to 17 MLAs with me, in which two are for disqualification and 15 of resignation, for which their party leaders expect disqualification too.The Speaker said Shankar had merged his Karnataka Pragnyavantha Janatha Party with the Congress in June this year, following which Kumar had notified on June 20 that he should be considered as a Congress MLA.On July 8th, he gave his resignation after which he wrote to me and the Governor that he will support BJP unequivocally said Kumar. He said that Congress leader Siddaramaiah had filed a complaint against Shankar.Kumar said the rebel lawmaker would now no longer be a member of the 15th Legislative Assembly till its expiry in 2023.He said that resignation was a respectable terminology while disqualification was admonishing,emphasising that the anti-defection law could not be used as a monstrous law.No by-election nothing will work.This (Speaker’s office) is a quasi-judicial body, Kumar said,adding,I know these matters will go to the court.On the remaining 14 cases,he said he is holding them back and it would require a couple of days for him to give his verdict.Kumar said he first decided on the resignation,rejecting them as they were not voluntary and genuine based on circumstances and thereafter dealt with disqualification after considering evidences and other orders.Asked if the same yardstick would be used against other rebel MLAs,he said,Wait and see.It is a hypothetical question,Kumar said, when asked whether the remaining MLAs could still come around and withdraw their resignation.It is the responsibility of all political parties that such impasse doesn’t continue and constitutional crisis is not created and to see that the finance bill is passed,Kumar said.The speaker had earlier said that if the Finance bill was not passed by July 31, the government will come to a standstill and we will not be in a position to even pay salaries, such a necessity has come, what to do?Asked if the Finance Bill can be passed by a presidential order if the government is not formed by July 31, he said it cannot be done and either the suspension of the Assembly or President’s rule will have to be imposed he added.
Rebel Congress MLA,Shivaram Hebbar, who returned home from Mumbai,where the disgruntled lawmakers were holed up, expressed confidence that the speaker who is a senior and experienced person will take right decision on their resignations.
The Speaker’s decision on the disqualifications and resignations will be crucial in view of the numbers in the house and the formation of the next government. In case the BJP does not choose to form a minority government, the state can go under President’s Rule he added.
The coalition government of the Congress and HD Kumaraswamy’s Janata Dal Secular had come to power in May last year and the next election is due in 2023.
Mr Ramesh has been under pressure since the resignations started earlier this month and the BJP demanded a test of strength in the assembly. The coalition government, which had been hoping for reprieve from the Supreme Court, had been bent on delaying the trust vote, the BJP alleged.
The 14-month-old ruling coalition government of Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) had failed to prove its majority in a trust vote on Tuesday.The coalition lost the floor test after 99 MLAs voted in favour of it, but 105 legislators voted against it. Soon after, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy met Governor Vajubhai Vala to submit his resignation.
State Bharatiya Janata Party President BS Yeddyurappa was expected to stake claim to form government immediately.A day after the floor test,he said he was awaiting instructions from the central leadership. Meanwhile,a delegation of leaders from the Karnataka unit of the BJP reached New Delhi on Thursday to meet party chief Amit Shah and Working President JP Nadda to discuss the political situation in the state.
If the Speaker does not accept their resignation,the lawmakers would remain members of the assembly and majority mark will remain high.Today’s disqualifications bring down the strength of the House to 221, and the majority mark slides to 112.
The BJP, which currently has 105 members,is not inclined to form a minority government, party spokesman G Madhusudan told media persons.He even said If the Speaker takes longer time to accept or reject the resignations of the rebels, the Governor (Vajubhai Vala) may recommend President’s rule in the state, as we will not like to stake claim to power in such a situation,G Madhusudan said.
If the resignations of the rebel lawmakers are accepted, the strength of the house comes down to 105. But till the rebels are re-elected as BJP legislators, the BJP will be compelled to run a minority government.
Meanwhile,as it looked to the central leadership to take a shot at government formation, the BJP camp here was devoid of any major activity barring internal meetings held by party state unit chief BS Yeddyurappa,who is waiting in the wings for a fourth term as Chief Minister.
A group of Karnataka BJP leaders, including Jagdish Shettar,Arvind Limbavali,JC Madhuswamy,Basavaraj Bommai and Yeddyurappa’s son Vijayendra,met party chief Amit Shah in New Delhi and reportedly discussed government formation.
The Supreme Court, meanwhile, allowed two independent MLAs to withdraw their plea seeking a direction to the assembly Speaker to conduct “forthwith” a floor test on the H D Kumaraswamy government’s trust move.

Section 144 was imposed in Bengaluru on Tuesday for the next 48 hours ahead of the Karnataka Assembly floor test

 After losing the floor test in the Karnataka Assembly, chief minister HD Kumaraswamy tendered his resignation to Governor Vajubhai Vala. “Met Hon’ble Governor Vajubhai Vala and tendered my resignation. I profusely thank the people of the state, cabinet colleagues, all legislators and officers for the cooperation and support extended during my 14 month stint as Chief Minister,” he said on Twitter. The Governor accepted his resignation and asked him to be the caretaker CM of the state till the next chief minister is finalised.

The HD Kumaraswamy led Congress-JD(S) government failed to survive trust vote in the Karnataka Assembly, getting only 99 votes while the BJP got 105 member votes. The trust vote was necessitated after 15 MLAs resigned, plunging the government to a minority.

Immediately after the trust vote, BJP Karnataka tweeted, “It’s the end of an era of corrupt and unholy alliance. We promise a stable and able governance to the people of Karnataka. Together we will make Karnataka prosperous again.”

Section 144 was imposed in Bengaluru on Tuesday for the next 48 hours following clashes between Congress and BJP workers ahead of the floor test.