Bengaluru: Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala has sparked another row by appointing BJP MLA KG Bopaiah as pro-tem speaker.
BS Yeddyuruppa, who was sworn-in as the Karnataka Chief Minister, will be facing the floor test on Saturday at 4pm.
As per norm, the senior-most legislator is supposed to act as the pro-term Speaker and Congress MLA RV Deshpande is the senior-most lawmaker in the Assembly.
The appointment of Bopaiah has led to protests from the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular).
He is considered close to Yeddyuruppa and had disqualified 11 BJP MLAs and five independent MLAs ahead of trust vote to help the government led by the latter in 2011.
The decision had invited the wrath of the Supreme Court, which had stated that Bopaiah acted in haste.
Meanwhile, in a sensational claim, the Congress released an audio tape alleging mining baron Janardharana Reddy considered close to the BJP, offering money and post to a Congress MLA, in exchange for support in the floor test.
“Janardhan Reddy clearly says he has the backing of BJP president Amit Shah for doing horse trading (sic),” the Congress has alleged in a tweet.
JDS’ HD Kumaraswamy said, “Two MLAs have been hijacked by our BJP friends. But, I am certain that they will come back to us.”
On the other hand, the Congress and JD(S) MLAs have begun their road journey to Bengaluru, after spending the day in Hyderabad.
Earlier on Friday, the apex court reduced the 15-day period the governor had given Yeddyurappa to prove his majority. The court will later decide on the legality of the governor’s action to invite the largest party to form the government, which has been challenged by the Congress and the JD(S).
(Photo Courtesy: PTI)
