Karnataka’s Congress-JD(S) coalition government, that is teetering on the verge of collapse after the resignation of 18 lawmakers, will take a floor test in the Assembly on July 18.
The vote of confidence will be taken up on Thursday at 11 am in the Karnataka Assembly, senior Congress leader and former CM Siddaramaiah said.
Amidst a deepening political crisis in the coalition government, Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy last Friday had sought time from Speaker to prove majority in the Assembly.
“After all these developments, I am seeking your permission and time to prove the majority in this session,” he said in Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
“I am ready for everything and am not here to cling to power… Have decided to seek trust vote, please fix time for it,” he said.
Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar said a slot would be allotted whenever the Karnataka Chief Minister opted for it.
“The chief minister has spoken his mind that he would not cling to power amid the confusion. He said he will seek the trust of the House,” the Speaker told reporters.
Earlier on Saturday, an upbeat Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on dared beleaguered CM Kumaraswamy to move a confidence motion in the state Assembly on Monday to prove that his “shaky” coalition government has a majority.
Kumaraswamy had earlier said that he is “confident” despite “efforts to destabilise” his government.
“Congress-JDS coalition in the state is going strong despite the efforts to destabilize. We are confident and prepared for smooth and fruitful conduct of legislative sessions,” Kumaraswamy tweeted late on Thursday night, hours after he ruled out his resignation.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has ordered status quo on the resignations by rebel Karnataka lawmakers till the matter will be heard by the court on Tuesday and also barred the Speaker from taking any decision on either resignation of the lawmakers or their disqualification till then.
Till Wednesday, 13 Congress, 3 JD(S) and two independent MLAs had submitted their resignations to the Assembly Speaker KR Ramesh Kumar.