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Karnataka trust vote HIGHLIGHTS | CM HD Kumaraswamy wins floor test with support of 117 MLAs

The motion expressing confidence in the Kumaraswamy government was adopted by voice vote in the presence of JD (S)-Congress coalition MLAs and other lawmakers supporting the government.
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy wins the floor test on Friday (Express Photo | Nagaraja Gadekal)
Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy wins the floor test on Friday (Express Photo | Nagaraja Gadekal)
Online Desk

The three-day-old Congress-JD(S) coalition government in Karnataka headed by HD Kumaraswamy won the floor test today, as expected, ending the 10-day political uncertainty in the state.

The motion expressing confidence in the Kumaraswamy government was adopted by voice vote in the presence of JD (S)-Congress coalition MLAs and other lawmakers supporting the government.

[READ FULL REPORT HERE]

The BJP members staged a walkout before the trust vote was taken. Leader of the Opposition B S Yeddyurappa made a blistering attack on Kumaraswamy, describing the ruling coalition as "unholy".

In his speech, Kumaraswamy said his government would carry all sections together, and would take into consideration suggestions made by the Opposition.

Congress nominee K R Ramesh Kumar was today unanimously elected as Speaker of the Karnataka Assembly after senior BJP leader Suresh Kumar withdrew his nomination for the Speaker’s post.

In the 222-member House where 112 is a simple majority, the JDS-Congress combine has 118 MLAs (JDS 37, Congress 78 and three others), while the BJP has 104 seats.

Congress leader and former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says Ramesh Kumar has rich experience for the position of Assembly Speaker.

Karnataka Deputy CM Parameshwara congratulates newly elected Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar

We withdrew (nomination of BJP candidate) as we wanted the election to be unanimous in order to maintain dignity of the Speaker's post : BJP's BS Yeddyurappa in Karnataka Assembly

Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy and Opposition leader BS Yeddyurappa congratulate newly elected Karnataka Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar of Congress.

Following Senior BJP leader Suresh Kumar's withdrawal of nomination for the Karnataka assembly Speaker’s post, Congress' Ramesh Kumar is elected as Speaker of Karnataka Assembly.

According to PTI reports, Senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar, who was widely credited with having kept the flock of party MLAs together amid claims of attempted poaching by the BJP, is reportedly not happy after being ignored for the deputy chief minister's post that went to the party's Dalit face G Parameshwara.

The Congress has 78 MLAs, Kumaraswamy's JD(S) 36, and BSP 1. The alliance has also claimed support of the lone KPJP MLA and an independent.

The opposition BJP on Thursday had fielded senior leader S Suresh Kumar as its candidate in the election for the post of Karnataka Assembly Speaker.

Karnataka CM Kumaraswamy earlier in the day had stated that he is confident of winning the floor test. He said, “I have no tension, I am going to win clearly."

A scene from Karnataka Vidhan Souda on the day of the floor test on Friday, May 25 (Express Photo by Nagaraja Gadekal)

Congress’ DK Shivakumar responds to BJP’s call for state-wide bandh on May 28 if chief minister doesn’t waive off farmer loans.

Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy wins floor test

Yeddyurappa delivers scathing attack

BS Yeddyurappa says his fight is not with the JD(S) or the Congress but with the father-son duo, referring to Deve Goda and HD Kumaraswamy. (NDTV)

BJP leader R Ashok on the walkout.

BJP leader R Ashok: Despite people rejecting them, the Congress and JDS have formed the Government to keep the BJP away. We will not take part in a vote of confidence like this. Let them waive off farm loans, we have given a deadline of Monday. Walkout is to register our protest against Government.

BJP threatens Karnataka bandh on May 28; dares Kumaraswamy to waive farm loans in 24 hours

 

Leader of Opposition BS Yeddyurappa begins address

Yeddyurappa calls the Congress-JD(S) coalition a sinking ship (NDTV).

BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa recognised as leader of the opposition in Karnataka Assembly. (TV reports)

BJP walks out from the Assembly during the floor test

New Karnataka Speaker on Siddaramaiah's experience:

Speaker: Siddaramaiah took care of the finance department for a long time. Fiscal responsibility act was maintained, welfare and developmental programmes were carried out without any default by the state. I think Siddaramaiah has achieved this. I am not speaking as a speaker or as a former Congressman. I am speaking as a citizen. Politicians must rise above politics and behave as a statesman. Politicians must have humility. Please take advantage of Siddaramaiah's experience.
Kumaraswamy in Assembly: I have not cheated the people of the state. I am telling this again and again, holding this post is not important to me. Ensuring that problems do not hit Karnataka and its people is most important. The opposition has said announce farm loan waivers today or by Monday we will go on strike. I have seen many such strike. They have spoilt coastal Karnataka. Not anymore.

Kumaraswamy reiterates his father was secular; says that the alliance with the Congress was a natural choice

Also says: I don't get scared by threats of I-T raids. I have not announced manifesto without intention of completing it. I will take advice of leaders, including Siddaramaiah on how it can be carried forward. A new political front for 2019 must rise from Karnataka. The Congress leadership has offered me support. I must make use of this and not let their support down.

HD Kumaraswamy begins address; says 2006 JD(S)-BJP alliance caused strain in ties with his father

CM HD Kumaraswamy says it was ironical that the JD(S) was earlier backed by the BJP against the Congress, but the party is now being supported by Congress; says his decision to associate with BJP in 2006 had caused a strain in his relationship with his father, H D Deve Gowda; says the decision to tie up with the Congress now is a way for him to cleanse himself of the guilt caused by his decision over a decade back.

DK Shivakumar congratulates the new Karnataka Speaker

 HD Kumaraswamy tables vote of confidence, begins address

A few days back, Congress leader DK Shivakumar said, "Rahul Gandhi deserves all the praise for our success today in Karnataka to keep BJP out of power."

On Thusday, senior Congress leader Parameshwara said, “Party top brass will decide on the next KPCC president. Shivakumar is a senior leader. I will be happy if he is given the KPCC President’s post.”

The Congress legislature party meeting, which was chaired by Siddaramaiah at a star hotel on Thursday, issued the whip for party MLAs to vote for Kumaraswamy’s confidence vote.

On 23th May HD Kumaraswamy took oath as the CM of Karnataka. Check out our gallery below.

VIEW GALLERY: Supporters cheer as HD Kumaraswamy takes oath as 25th CM of Karnataka

Ramesh Kumar held the position of Speaker when Deve Gowda was CM of Karnataka between 1994-1996.

Yeddyurappa
HD Kumaraswamy
JD(S)
Karnataka Assembly
Karnataka floor test

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