BJP vs Congress-JDS in Karnataka: Floor test in assembly on Saturday; What Supreme Court said

The Supreme Court today directed for floor test in Karnataka Assembly at 4 pm tomorrow, after hearing Congress-JD(S) plea against Karnataka Governor  Vajubhai Vala inviting BJP to form government. The Congress-JD(S) lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued, "Yeddyurappa claimed support, but he does not have letters of support from these MLAs or it is only his oral submissions."

In his arguement, Singhvi submitted before to Supreme Court that Congress-JD(S) are ready for floor test tomorrow. Opposing the Congress submission, BJP's lawyer Mukul Rohatgi opposed the floor test, saying they 'need time.'

The SC began the hearing on Congress-JDS combine petition challenging Karnataka governor's decision to invite BJP to form govt. The letter that B S Yeddyurappa had written to the governor was placed before the Supreme Today in which he had staked claim to form government in Karnataka. The apex court asked Yeddyurappa's counsel Mukul Rohatgi to give copies of letters to lawyers representing the Congress-JDS combine. 
 
Yeddyurappa reportedly told the court that the Congress-JDS combine is an "unholy" alliance, adding that the single largest party is the mandate of the people of Karnataka who have thrown out the ruling party Congress.
 
Yeddyurappa also referred his May 16 letter in the court that he had submitted to Governor wherein he had said that BJP will give "stable government" and has support of others. 
 
On the Congress-JDS plea against Karnataka Governor inviting BJP to form govt in the state, the Supreme Court said, "It is just a number game, one who enjoys the majority should be invited to form the Govt."
 
The court reportedly observed that as BS Yeddyurappa has claimed support and BJP is single largest party, there could be two probabilities. whether Governor's decision has to be tested or a floor test has to be held on Saturday.
 
According to ANI tweet, Justice Arjan Kumar Sikri said, "floor test seems to be the best option."

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Speaking to media persons, Singhvi said, "Supreme Court said that oath should be administered to all MLAs before the floor test tomorrow and BS Yeddyurappa cannot take any policy decisions until tomorrow." 

"SC has delivered a historic verdict, many important directions have been given, one of them being that floor test has to be conducted at 4 pm tomorrow under a protem speaker," Singhvi added.

On the SC direction for floor test, Congress leader and lawyer Ashwani Kumar said, "the SC verdict has upheld constitutional morality and democracy. It's a judgement that should be celebrated. Faith of people in wisdom of SC is vindicated once again. It's set back for a party that wanted to usurp power."

Welcoming the apex court decision, BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje told ANI, "We welcome the Supreme Court's order. We will prove majority on the floor of the House tomorrow, we are ready for floor test."

(With Agency inputs)