BJP hopeful of governor's direction to Speaker

The BJP leaders on Thursday met Governor Vajubhai Vala even as the Assembly was debating the confidence motion and sought his directions to Speaker K R Ramesh Kumar to complete the motion on a vote of confidence today (Thursday) itself.

The delegation, led by former minister Jagadish Shettar, met the Governor and submitted a memorandum fearing that the coalition partners Congress and JD(S) were indulging in delaying tactics.

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"Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy moved the confidence motion and began a discussion on it on Thursday. It was also approved by the Speaker. Meanwhile, Congress leaders Siddaramaiah, H K Patil and Krishna Byre Gowda moved Points of Order that were not in the agenda," he told reporters after meeting the Governor.

"There was no adjournment whenever there was a motion on the vote of confidence in the past. We are afraid to see the Speaker's acts," Shettar charged.

"We have fears that there are attempts to save the minority government. Issues that are not listed in the agenda are being taken up flouting norms which forced us to seek Governor's directions to the Speaker," Shettar said.

He said that the Governor has assured the BJP delegation of taking steps within a legal framework.

BJP MLC Ravi Kumar, who was part of the delegation, said, "Chief Minister Kumaraswamy himself has moved the motion. The ruling party has agreed for the floor test on Thursday. However, matters are being taken up for discussion violating rules of the House," he charged.