MUNI THE BOSS

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday rejected a plea by five Independent MLAs, who have been disqualified by the Speaker and had appealed that their voting rights be restored for a confidence motion scheduled to be moved by Chief Minister Yeddyurappa in the Assembly on Thursday. A division bench related stories
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headed by Chief Justice KS Khehar rejected the appeal for an interim order allowing the five legislators to exercise their voting rights in a sealed envelope till a final verdict on their petition seeking quashing of disqualification is delivered.

Earlier, KG Raghavan, counsel for the disqualified independent legislators, submitted the advanced application before the High Court registrar seeking voting rights.

The bench refused to stay the trust vote scheduled on Thursday, but said its outcome would be subject to the final verdict on the plea by the rebel legislators seeking quashing of disqualification.

Speaker KG Bopaiah had disqualified 14 BJP and 5 independents MLAs under provisions of anti-defection laws hours before the vote of confidence on October 11.

After disqualification of 16 rebel MLAs, BJP has support of 106 legislators and opposition has 102 members (Congress 73, JD(S) 28 and 1 independent). A figure of 105 is required to prove majority in a house that was reduced to 208 members from 224.

However, on Wednesday, Independent MLA Varthur Prakash announced plans to vote for the BJP, raising the tally of the saffron party to 107 in the Assembly and bringing down the figure of united opposition to 101. The division bench had reserved the verdict on a writ petition challenging disqualification of 11 BJP MLAs and adjourned the hearing into a plea by the 5 independent legislators till October 18.