Karnataka coalition crisis: Supreme Court to decide fate of rebel MLAs on Wednesday
Will the Supreme Court ask Speaker to decide on the resignations first or will it be disqualifications first? The answer to these questions will be given by the apex court as it will pronounce its verdict on July 17.
FollowBengaluru: On Wednesday (July 17), the Supreme Court will deliver its verdict on the much-awaited issue of Karnataka MLAs’ resignation. The Karnataka government and the rebel MLAs, both will have a sleepless night as the verdict will dictate their political future.
And as they wait, let’s give you a summary of all the arguments made before the three-judge bench earlier today.
Arguments of Mukul Rohatgi, counsel for rebel MLAs
The Speaker, by the virtue of his seat, is trying to intimidate the rebel MLAs. Why is he taking so long to decide on their resignations? It is their fundamental right to resign. They have not resigned to become ministers in the next probable government. They have submitted their resignations in the prescribed format and have not resorted to any anti-party activities. The Speaker is acting in such a way so as to support the minority coalition government in the state. The court should intervene and issue directions to the Speaker to act in accordance with the charter.
Arguments of Abhishek Singhvi, counsel for Speaker Ramesh
The Speaker has already initiated action in relation to the resignations and disqualification. In the first place, he has to be satisfied that the resignations are voluntary and not forced. The BJP is behind the political mess in the state. These MLAs want the government to fall and they want to join hands with the party and become ministers. I reiterate that the Supreme Court can’t issue directions to the Speaker. I pray to you to vacate the order on ‘status quo’. The Speaker will come out with a concrete action on the issue by tomorrow (July 17).
Arguments of Rajiv Dhawan, counsel for CM HD Kumaraswamy
The intention behind submitting these resignations en masse is malafide. This is a fight neither between the Supreme Court and the Speaker nor between the rebel MLAs and the Speaker, but it is a fight between two CMs. The BJP is trying to topple the government. Such pleas have no meaning. So I urge you to quash the case and set a precedent.Â
Â
