Supreme Court Rejects Congress-JD(S) Plea Challenging Appointment Of Pro-Tem Speaker

The honourable Supreme Court today rejected the plea by the Congress Party and Janata Dal (Secular) challenging the appointment of pro-tem speaker KG Bopaiah. The apex court ordered that Bopaiah will continue as the pro-tem speaker of the Karnataka Assembly. The apex court gave the decision to go-ahead with the telecast of proceedings live, as requested by the counsels of the petitioners. “Live broadcast of the floor test would be the best way to ensure transparency of the proceedings,” the bench noted. Supreme Court began the hearing of Congress-JD(S)’ plea challenging the appointment of KG Bopaiah as the pro-tem speaker of Karnataka Assembly.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Kapil Sibal were appeared for the Congress and the JD(S), while Attorney General KK Venugopal and Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta along with Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi are defending the appointment of the pro-tem speaker. Senior Advocate Ram Jethmalani is also present in the court. Mukul Rohatgi, who was seemed in the Supreme Court on behalf of the BJP, said that KG Bopaiah was enough qualified to be the pro-tem speaker. Rohtagi also added that he was very confident that the apex court will reject the Congress and JD(S) plea as the appointment of the pro-tem speaker is purely the Governor’s discretion.

Before this, the state’s leading party, BJP held a legislature party meeting at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bengaluru. The MLAs were taken to the assembly after the meeting. Congress MLAs have already been taken to the Vidhan Soudha. Ahead of the floor test and Supreme Court hearing, BS Yeddyurappa said he was 100 percent confident of proving the BJP’s majority in the Karnataka Assembly. He also added that he will definitely start implementing his pre-poll promises, including farm loan waivers, within 24 hours of winning the floor test.

I am 100 percent confident that we will prove majority in the floor test today at Karnataka Assembly. After that, within 24 hours, we will call for an emergency cabinet meeting to waive crop loans, weaver loans. We will also clear a bill to hike pensions for senior citizen pensions and widows.

          BS Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister, Karnataka