After trust and mistrust, gov for Prez Rule

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Karnataka plunged into political uncertainty on Monday following the submission of a damning report by governor H.R. Bhardwaj that recommended the imposition of President’s Rule in the state hours after chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa won a confidence motion with a controversial voice vote amid pandemonium in the Assembly.

Both the Congress’ Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy are said to have held separate meetings with their supporters to decide whether it was feasible to cobble together an alternative government before President’s Rule is imposed. Sources close to the Congress indicate, however, that the Congress core group at the Centre was not in any hurry to take a decision and would prefer President’s Rule to pushing for a government together with the JD(S), which played the main role in pulling down the Yeddyurappa government.
After a meeting with the Opposition Congress, JD(S), rebel BJP and Independent MLAs, Mr Bhardwaj rejected the report submitted by Speaker K.G. Bopaiah that claimed proceedings in the Assembly were conducted in a free and fair manner. The governor said the proceedings of the House had been a “farce” and took serious objection to Mr Bopaiah disqualifying Independent members from the legislature. Sources said: “He has recommended that President’s Rule be imposed and the Legislative Assembly be kept in suspended animation.”
While the Congress and the JD(S) welcomed the governor’s decision, the ruling BJP strongly criticised it, terming it “arbitrary”. Chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who could be on his way out if the recommendation is accepted by the Centre, said: “Mr Bhardwaj misused Raj Bhavan to help Opposition parties destabilise the BJP government.” Angry BJP leaders, who had initially celebrated their victory, announced they would parade their MLAs before the President in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Eight BJP CMs will meet in New Delhi to continue the battle against the move to impose President’s Rule, Mr Yeddyurappa announced. “Though I won the trust vote, Mr Bhardwaj recommended the imposition of President’s Rule which is unconstitutional,” he said at a press conference, a clear indication that the BJP plans to make the impending dismissal of the BJP government in Karnataka a national issue.
Earlier, Mr Yeddyurappa “won” the confidence motion by a voice vote amid pandemonium which saw marshals roughed up by legislators and media personnel denied entry into the Assembly Hall. Even before the House assembled for the vote, tempers had started running high over the disqualification issue with the rebel MLAs entering the House by overpowering the guards. Once they were inside, the rebels and the ruling party members engaged in acrimonious exchanges.
Five MLAs, including two Congress legislators, took up position at the door through which the Speaker was to enter the hall. However, securitymen rushed to the spot and ensured the Speaker could enter and take his seat. Minutes later, the confidence motion was read out and Mr Bopaiah put the motion to a voice vote. The entire process was completed within five minutes. The Speaker then adjourned the House. “Since the Opposition did not demand a division of votes, voting did not take place,” said the Speaker, defending his decision to rely on a voice vote.
Though the Congress later paraded the MLAs before Mr Bhardwaj, the Assembly registrar tells a different story. “According to our records, 105 ruling party MLAs and 38 Opposition MLAs signed the register,” Mr Bopaiah claimed.